“This Is Not Products, It’s Stress”: Woman Shows Physical Changes From 10-Year Sales Job

• A South African woman revealed the devastating physical toll of working in sales for a decade, showing significant hair loss and balding spots she attributes directly to work-related stress
• TikTok user @mslejakane shared her emotional testimony while displaying her damaged hairline, emphasizing that her condition wasn't caused by hair products but by stress
• The woman firmly rejected suggestions of new employment opportunities, especially in direct sales companies, stating, "I don't want to convince anyone to buy anything ever in my life"

A woman's vulnerable testimony about the effects of workplace stress has resonated with many South Africans facing similar challenges.

Content creator @mslejakane posted a video where she showed viewers the severe hair loss she's experienced, particularly around her hairline and forehead, which she directly attributes to a decade working in high-pressure sales positions. In the clip, she emphatically rejects traditional employment, stating:

"No no no, I don't want another job, count me out. I don't want to work for anybody. Look at me, this, this is not because of products, it's not because of braiding my hair. It's because of stress. I was in sales for 10 years, 10 years working hard, and I'm done."

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Watch the TikTok clip below.

The physical impact of occupational stress

Research has increasingly showed that workplace stress can have effects on physical health. A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that physical occupational stress was negatively associated with hippocampal volume and memory performance in older adults, independent of other factors including age, gender, and socioeconomic status.

Sales positions often involve unique stressors, including commission-based income, high performance targets, rejection, and unstable working hours. The constant pressure to meet quotas and convince reluctant customers can create chronic stress that accumulates over the years.

In her video, @mslejakane specifically mentions her resistance to recruitment offers from direct sales companies:

"Don't come and recruit me. I don't want to convince anyone to buy anything ever in my life. I don't want to go there."

Medical expert Jayshri Rangasamy shared her insights on stress with Briefly News, stating that:

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"Continuous stress can lead to significant mental and physical health issues, including anxiety, depression, cognitive impairments, cardiovascular problems, digestive issues, musculoskeletal pain, and weakened immune function. Mental and physical health are closely linked, as stress hormones affect bodily functions, mental health conditions can weaken the immune system, and poor mental health can exacerbate physical pain and sleep disturbances."

"Additionally, burnout in the workplace, characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced efficacy, can further exacerbate these health issues. Managing both aspects is crucial for overall well-being. If you're feeling overwhelmed, consider exploring stress management techniques or seeking professional support."

Viewers relate to workplace trauma

The video resonated with many viewers who shared their own experiences with workplace stress:

@Lindiwemojeiks shared a current struggle:

"Currently going through the worst because someone doesn't want me at work... I have never been so hurt... It hurts."

@lihle_mazibuko had a different experience:

"Ai no no. I'm happy with my sales job, the salary is good 🙌 Which sales were you doing? Have RE5 and a qualification... You'll thank me later. Check my real account."

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@Lifestyleover50 noted broader issues:

"Corporate SA has become a nightmare for so many people. Walking away is an indication of valuing your life."

@nkele related completely:

"Heei. I did sales jobs for over 15 years. I'm done, done, done. Sales jobs aren't easy. You spend your life begging people👍Ngi'right shame 🥺"

@flo shared:

"This was me when I left the bank in 2022."

Other workplace stories making headlines

• A South African man shared his experience of quitting a call centre job after just two days when he discovered concerning practices and hidden details about the position that weren't disclosed during the interview.
• Briefly News also reported on content creator Boni Xaba who shocked viewers by revealing the surprisingly low salary of an architect with a master's degree, describing the payslip as a crime scene that left online community members stunned.
• After documenting his challenging job-hunting journey through multiple social media posts, a South African man's perseverance finally paid off when he secured employment, prompting an outpouring of genuine congratulations from online supporters.

Source: Briefly News