Everyone knows the feeling - being in a job you don't like well past the time you realized these feelings. But why? Why do people stay in a job that makes them unhappy? Almost everyone that takes a new job is happy they did. But how do you get from point A to point B?

The Amygdala.

The amygdala is part of the human brain. It is an almond shaped area in the medial temporal lobes, or for a better definition, it is basically right in the middle of your head.

The amygdala evolved to keep you alive. When it senses a risk to your life it kicks off a fear feeling and sends that to the frontal lobe for action. The key phrase is "risk to your life." The amygdala doesn't discriminate - harmless situations often give rise to a reaction in the amygdala.

So among other reasons, the amygdala is sabotaging your willingness to find a new job. The uncertainty of a new job affects your sense of security even though the new job will probably improve your living situation.