Workplace stress in 2025 is more than an occasional rough day. For many workers, it’s a chronic condition that’s eroding both mental health and workplace culture. Beauty and Bodywork Insurance’s new report, Top US Jobs That Could Use a Massage, identifies which professions carry the heaviest burdens, physically and mentally.
The results highlight an important truth: stress doesn’t just drain the body. It impacts mood, relationships, and long-term mental well-being.
The hidden signs of burnout
Stress builds gradually, often showing up as small symptoms before turning into burnout. Workers may notice:
- Difficulty sleeping or waking up already fatigued
- Irritability or a short fuse with co-workers or loved ones
- Trouble concentrating on tasks or making decisions
- Headaches, muscle tightness, or stomach issues that never quite go away
- A sense of emotional detachment from work once seen as meaningful
The World Health Organization officially recognises burnout as an occupational phenomenon, defined by exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness. It is a workplace injury, not a personal weakness.
The jobs under the most pressure
The Beauty and Bodywork Insurance report splits jobs into two categories: physically stressful and mentally stressful.
Top 5 physically stressful jobs
- Firefighters
- Flight attendants
- Labourers and material movers
- Line installers and repairers
- Bus and truck mechanics; diesel specialists
Top 5 mentally stressful jobs
- Flight attendants
- Small engine mechanics
- Physician assistants
- Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
- Bailiffs, jailers, and correctional officers
Firefighters and line installers endure intense physical demands, while correctional officers and pilots face high-pressure decision-making daily. Flight attendants appear on both lists, juggling physical strain with the emotional labor of ensuring safety and managing passengers.
Massage and mental health
Massage therapy may sound like a luxury, but research shows it has measurable effects on mental well-being. A meta-analysis of clinical trials found that massage reduced depressive symptoms across multiple studies. Similarly, a systematic review reported significant reductions in anxiety after massage interventions.
The Cleveland Clinic also notes that massage can lower cortisol, improve immune function, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, making it especially valuable for workers in high-stress jobs.
For individuals, benefits include:
- Lower stress hormones that drive anxiety and fatigue
- Improved sleep quality, which is critical for mental recovery
- Relief from chronic pain tied to stress
- A space for emotional decompression during otherwise demanding routines
Culture counts
Massage is only one part of the solution. Stress thrives in unhealthy workplace cultures. When organizations reward overwork, ignore boundaries, or fail to provide support, burnout becomes inevitable.
The Society for Human Resource Management argues that burnout is cultural, not personal. The McKinsey Health Institute adds that employers often focus too narrowly on individual “fixes” rather than tackling systemic causes like unrealistic workloads and unclear job expectations. Simply put: when people feel valued and supported, they are more resilient to stress.
Final thoughts
The Top US Jobs That Could Use a Massage report makes clear that certain workers face extraordinary stress. Firefighters, pilots, correctional officers, and flight attendants all exemplify the toll of high-stakes roles.
But stress doesn’t need to progress to burnout. Investing in mental health support, reshaping workplace culture, and providing tools like massage therapy can protect employees’ well-being and strengthen organisational health. In 2025, addressing stress is no longer optional. It’s central to building workplaces where people can thrive.
Robert Haynes, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.