| Wellness
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💡 TLDR
Your office might be making you sick—symptoms like headaches and nausea could mean sick building syndrome. Check for mold, chemicals, or poor air quality and take action to improve your workspace.
Wait, your office is making you sick? That’s not a joke. Jess Farmery, 31, started sneezing, scratching, and getting headaches the second she walked into her cubicle. “I thought it was hay fever, but winter came and it wasn’t that,” she tells SELF. Then there’s Lizzie, 30, who’s been stuck in a new office for 10 months and now can’t even sit at her desk without feeling like she’s about to vomit. These aren’t just random quirks—they’re symptoms of sick building syndrome, a term that basically means your workspace is giving you a full-blown existential crisis.
The EPA defines it as “acute health and comfort effects linked to time spent in a building,” and the list of symptoms is wild: brain fog, nausea, migraines, rashes, even acid reflux. It’s not just about mold or chemicals—it’s also about the vibe. Bright strip lights, no windows, and that weird carpet smell can all be triggers. And yes, your body is literally reacting to your office like it’s a toxic cult.
Here’s the kicker: women are way more likely to report these symptoms than men. A 2025 study in Buildings found gender is a major predictor, especially for skin issues and dizziness. Why? Some experts think it’s biology—women are more prone to autoimmune conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, which can make them hypersensitive to allergens. Others say it’s about social roles: women often juggle more stress at work and are more attuned to environmental discomfort, like cold temps or poor lighting. Dr. Kathryn Basford, a London-based women’s health doc, says, “Women feel things more, and that’s not a bad thing—it’s just how we’re wired.”
If your office is making you feel like a zombie, here’s how to tackle it: 1. Ask for better ventilation—move to a window seat or invest in an air purifier. 2. Clean your workspace obsessively (dust, mold, that weird carpet smell? No mercy). 3. Talk to your manager about lighting and air quality. And if you’re still feeling icky? Document your symptoms. Dr. Alan Hedge, who’s studied this for years, says keeping a diary of when and where you feel sick can clue you in on the real culprit.
💫 Drop your story in the comments—let’s figure this out together.
So, are you feeling like your office is a toxic cult? Drop your story in the comments—let’s figure this out together!
❓ People Also Ask
What causes sick building syndrome?
Sick building syndrome is caused by poor indoor air quality, chemicals, mold, or inadequate ventilation in workplaces, leading to health issues like headaches and nausea.
How can I tell if my office is making me sick?
Signs include persistent headaches, fatigue, nausea, and respiratory issues that worsen when you’re at work, indicating possible sick building syndrome.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇