5 years ago I got very stressed in a teaching job (not for the first time but more strongly than ever before), absolutely HAD to get out. It had taken over my life. Didn't go to the doctor or take sick leave even though I prob could have. I knew the problem was that job so i handed in my notice, worked a few months, went on a short sun break and started a lower paid job in a bank for 6 months, paid me about £7 old money. Enjoyed the change of scene and while the hours were longer I didn't take work home with me in my head anymore. The money was less than what I was used to but it paid the bills.
then moved back in home for a year while i went back to college and did a pretty tough full time post grad in an area i was interested in. Involved a loan as I hadn't saved for it but luckily the course was EU subsidised and I lived at home.
Unfortunately the jobs market took a nose dive in that area when I graduated so I went substitute teaching for what i thought would be short term. Took a full time teaching job again.
Recently was made permanent and even got a little promotion (my course helped me get it). Still find my job stressful but i'm not particularly unhappy in it at the moment.
Out of the blue and nearly 2 years after my application I've got a job offer to consider, very well paid, civil service, linked with the area i studied. I'm going to go for it, luckily for me I can always go back teaching if it doesn't work out. I will regret it if I don't give it a shot!
Very few people love their work and I'm sure the majority just plod along with fairly neutral feelings, but if your job makes you really unhappy and that feeling doesn't shift when you leave at the end of the day and you carry it around with you in your head you should do something about it. Maybe the same job in another establishment or maybe a different job or maybe just some time off to work things out. Different folks diffrent strokes!