According to this list put together by Business Insider, you actually can live in relative relaxation while raking in a good wage after all.
After the publication utilised the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), a database put together by the US Department of Labor, they discovered 20 jobs that aren't particularly anxiety-inducing, but pay very well.
The O*NET database rates the "stress tolerance" for various professions (100 being a job with a maximum stress level), with the following 20 jobs having a 70 or lower rating while paying an average salary of £55,000 or higher.
Count us in.
Side note: this was based on American statistics, but is presumably comparable in the UK.
1. Orthodontist
Stress tolerance: 67/100
Average annual salary: £180,000
Education requirements: typically seven years of training
2. Physicist
Stress tolerance: 61/100
Average annual salary: £96,000
Education requirements: a Ph.D for most research jobs
3. Materials engineer
Stress tolerance: 61/100
Average annual salary: £77,000
Education requirements: a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
4. Economist
Stress tolerance: 59/100
Average annual salary: £88,000
Education requirements: Bachelor's degree
5. Mathematician
Stress tolerance: 57/100
Average annual salary: £91,000
Education requirements: typically a Master's degree
6. Astronomer
Stress tolerance: 62/100
Average annual salary: £89,000
Education requirements: A Ph.D is required for most research jobs
7. Operations research analyst
Stress tolerance: 63/100
Average annual salary: £68,000
Education requirements: a Bachelor's degree is essential, but often a Master's degree or Ph.D are vital.
8. Applications software developer
Stress tolerance: 65/100
Average annual salary: £83,000
Education requirements: Bachelor's degree and strong computer programming skills.
9. Art director
Stress tolerance: 69/100
Average annual salary: £83,000
Education requirements: Bachelor's degree and/or impressive CV of experience.
10. Optometrist
Stress tolerance: 70/1000
Average annual salary: £94,000
Education requirements: seven years of training, including a Bachelor's degree.
11. Audiologist
Stress tolerance: 70/100
Average annual salary: £63,000
Education requirements: a medical degree
12. Technical writer
Stress tolerance: 69/100
Average annual salary: £59,000
Education requirements: extensive relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree.
13. Computer hardware engineer
Stress tolerance: 67/100
Average annual salary: £93,000
Education requirements: Bachelor's degree from highly regarded university.
14. Applications software developer
Stress tolerance: 65/100
Average annual salary: £83,000
Education requirements: Bachelor's degree and strong computer programming skills.
15. Biomedical engineer
Stress tolerance: 61/100
Average annual salary: £74,000
Education requirements: A relevant Bachelor's degree from a highly regarded uni.
16. Political scientist
Stress tolerance: 61/100
Average annual salary: £84,000
Education requirements: a Ph.D in political science or public administration.
17. Agricultural engineer
Stress tolerance: 61/100
Average annual salary: £63,000
Education requirements: A highly relevant Bachelor's degree
18. Statistician
Stress tolerance: 59/100
Average annual salary: £68,000
Education requirements: A graduate degree
19. Geographer
Stress tolerance: 58/100
Average annual salary: £61,000
Education requirements: a Master's degree
20. Actuary
Stress tolerance: 64/100
Average annual salary: £90,000
Education requirements: a Bacherlor's degree, plus a series of exams.
Where do we sign up?