Is your job making you chronically stressed? Do you spend Sunday nights glued to your computer, trying to meet another work deadline? If this sounds like you, it might be time to consider a career change. Long hours and a huge workload can put a damper on your physical and emotional health, and it’s not surprising to note that job stress is one of the most common complaints among Americans.

In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) named job stress a “World Wide Epidemic”, citing that too much negative stress can cause some serious health problems that include migraines, depression, and heart attacks. Is that big pension plan really worth it if you’re not going to be well enough to cash it in?

So, what’s an over-worked employee to do? Though it may seem impossible if you have a 60+ hour workweek, the best way to find a rewarding job is to train yourself for a different career. An education is the best investment you can make for your professional life, and online classes are an excellent way to learn the skills that you need to find a better job. Thanks to distance education, even the busiest of us can find time to study for class, whether it’s during their lunch break or before bed.

Once you get that degree, you will be able to move on to a job that will give you much less anxiety. While every career does come with a certain element of stress, some jobs will allow you to have the freedom and creativity that you need to bring your pulse rate back to normal. Here are some of our top 8 low-stress careers:

1. Accountant – if you are well-organized and have a knack for numbers, a profit and loss sheet can offer you a lot less stress than office politics. In fact, you don’t even have to leave your computer to earn an accounting degree online.

2. Early childhood education teacher – working with young children can definitely be a challenge, but it’s also a lot of fun! Early childhood educators use art projects, group play, and music to help kids learn. Even if you stay up a little later than usual to earn your teaching degree, you can make up for any loss sleep during your students’ nap time.

3. Nursing assistant – health care professionals are some of the hardest-working people out there, but nursing assistants can reap the satisfaction that comes from helping people without having to endure years of medical school. With the current shortage of nurses in America, these folks can sleep tight knowing that their job is definitely needed.

4. Financial planner – spending lots of money can certainly cause some anxiety for your wallet, but helping other people manage their funds can sometimes cause the opposite reaction! A degree in business or finance can give you the skills that you need to help other people manage their taxes, insurance, investments, estates, and retirement funds.

5. Massage therapist – there’s nothing more relaxing than a massage. Massage therapists help other people unwind by loosening the tight muscles in their bodies and teaching their patients relaxation techniques. Best of all, if you incorporate some of these techniques into your own schedule, you could learn how to achieve a stress-free workday.

6. Pastry chef – it’s difficult to get stressed out when your “office” smells like chocolate, butter, and sugar. Although pastry chefs don’t work the typical 9-5 workday shift, they are rewarded with a very fun and creative job. Most pastry chefs get their start in culinary school, where they can hone their cooking skills.

7. Graphic designer – being creative under a deadline isn’t always easy, but an increasing number of graphic designers are becoming self-employed and working for yourself. Without a boss breathing down your neck, you can set your own hours and balance your personal and professional life as you see fit.

8. Computer support – while it’s definitely not fun when your own computer crashes, you could enjoy the status of a super-hero when you fly into to save somebody’s hard drive. With a degree in computer science, you could make employees all across your company very grateful for your services.

Although many outside factors can influence your on-the-job stress, remember that you always have control over how you react to it. A little career training can go a long way to help you get started on the road to a stress-free job.

Do you have a job that you love? Tell us about it and help spread the word to your stress-out colleagues!