A recent study found that people in the highest-stress jobs – those with high demands and little control (job strain) – often didn’t they were stressed. Researchers found that men reporting job strain had higher blood pressure – and that those who switched to lower-strain jobs saw blood pressure relax (Psychosomatic Medicine, Nov. 1998).

Among those who switched from high- to lower-strain jobs, diastolic pressure fell an average of 5 points, while systolic pressure dropped 3 points, says Peter L. Schnall M.D., M.P.H., director of the Center for Social Epidemiology in Santa Monica, CA, and an associate professor of medicine at the University of California at Irvine.

Here are three strategies to reduce 9-5 job strain without changing careers:

1. Ask for more control. "When you make yourself more responsible, you actually gain more control over your workday," Dr. Schnall says. "Ask for more authority or additional skills training. Get a project that’s yours alone."
2. Build a cooperative workplace." Job strain is lower among employees who cooperate, and among those whose supervisors are supportive. If your boss isn’t being supportive, you and your co-workers may want to talk to with the personnel office about your needs.
3. Negotiate the crazy stuff. Too many bosses? Too many demands? Then dust off your assertiveness skills and have a face-to-face with your supervisor.