How Banking can ruin your body and your mind

High-Stress Industries Take Their Toll on Body and Mind

Investment banking has been identified as one of the most stressful careers internationally and has been proven to take its toll not only mentally but physically too. The industry exerts a harsh toll on its workforce due to the highly pressurised nature of the job and the constant demand to perform well.

Investment Bankers Health & Mental State

One of the major contributing factors to the downfall of an investment banker's health and mental state is substance abuse. Sadly, it's not even illegal substances or over-the-counter medicines that are causing so many bankers to experience health problems. It is the large amount of caffeine and energy drinks that are consumed on a daily basis to keep themselves sharp that have such a negative affect on their health and, in turn, their mind.

Large % of Bankers Turn to Alcohol

The effect of too many caffeinated drinks brings about the need to relax after a stressful day and a large percentage of bankers turn to alcohol to fuel this craving. The numbing sensation provided by alcohol leads to over-indulgence, causing long-term liver damage and potential personality disorders. Caffeine combined with alcohol can lead to weight gain and more and more men are experiencing alcohol- and caffeine-related medical problems such as impotence and the over-production of oestrogen.

Many Investment Bankers Driven to Indulge in Illegal Substances

The nature of an investment banker's work is not sustainable in the long term and once the body has started to crash, the mind is sure to follow. Many bankers have begun to indulge in illegal substances, including cocaine and speed and these substances then trigger a need for over-the-counter drugs to reduce feelings of anxiety and prevent the body from crashing. Both legal and illegal substances can be very addictive, harming the body and mind whilst ensuring the user makes it through a day of work.

A Banker's World can Become Very Small

Investment bankers are by nature incredibly ambitious and will stop at nothing to reach the top or maintain a successful portfolio. A banker's world can become very small, especially if they only socialise with other people in their industry and never break ranks to enjoy their own downtime. The long-term health effects of continual pressure can cause personality disorders.

The blatant disregard of the need for a healthy mind and a healthy body are at the root of many investment bankers' main problems A balance between work, leisure and healthy living needs to be attained in order for underlying issues to be addressed and not manifest as addiction or alcoholism.

Written by Andrew Pringle of Circle Square - Financial Recruitment London

If you're not sure which career move would best suit your skills and experience take a look at our Job Profiles. The profiles provide advice on the qualifications, skills and experience required for each career option. The job profiles also outline salary expectation, job responsibilities and career progression.

M&A Analyst M&A Associate M&A Director M&A Vice President

If you are looking for advice we have a dedicated career advice section. Our advice is not just generic recruitment advice we have tailored advice for each of the recruitment divisions we work in including: executive search, accountancy & finance, temporary & interim, Real Estate, private equity, capital markets & M&A.

To view our M&A Jobs

Quick Search