CAREER PURSUIT 2021

8 EXPERT ADVICE - EMPLOYMENT he past year has been a challenge. There’s no doubt about it. Many people are struggling with declining mental health due to changes in routine, working from home, being away from friends and family, unemployment, uncertainty of job security, and a lack of face-to-face support. It’s no surprise there has been an increase in people admitting they are finding these times tough; it’s been a perfect storm to brew ill mental health. Inmy opinion, one of the positives to come out of the pandemic is the authentic way people are now talking about how they are really feeling and asking for help when they need it. There have been themes running through conversations I’ve been having, and words like ‘overwhelm’, ‘burnout’, and ‘stress’ are most commonplace. Stress is a part of everyday life. Since we cannot eliminate it, learning how to recognise the signs of stress overload before hitting burnout and boosting our ability to handle stressful situations is more important than ever. In an ideal world, prevention is better than correction, so if you incorporate techniques into your daily life to build resilience, you will be better equipped to deal with the inevitable ups and downs of life. I’m sure you’ve heard someone offer stress management advice in the form of “take a deep breath” or “get more sleep”, which are both fantastic pieces of advice and ones we should definitely take notice of and implement into our lives. There are many other practical tips and techniques we can choose to adopt to improve our mental wellbeing and boost our resilience. If you are heading for a career change, currently seeking employment, or about to step into the world of self- employment, give some consideration to the following ways you can improve your mental wellbeing and avoid burnout: SELF-CARE This comes in many forms and is unique to each person. You may envisage a spa break, a pedicure, or something else indulgent – this isn’t always the case or what you may need; self-care is anything you do to look after yourself, both physically and mentally. Emotional self-care can be expressed by showing yourself compassion, attending therapy if required, or keeping a regular journal to keep track of your emotional state. An area often overlooked is from a social perspective; this is where you set personal boundaries, limit negative social media consumption, and remove toxic relationships from your life. With self-care, make sure you differentiate between ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’, e.g. excessive exercise or overindulging with food or alcohol may provide you with short-term satisfaction, but it can be detrimental to your health in the long run. PHYSICAL HEALTH Keeping yourmind andbody ticking over is imperative for good mental wellbeing, and it’s essential to drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet. Keep active and, if possible, move every day, even if it’s just for a short walk. Keep your mind busy and do some challenging activities like puzzles or crosswords. NATURE Spending time in nature does wonders to lift your mood, so go outside, get some fresh air, and top up your Vitamin D. If you cannot go outside, then spend some time by the window and/or around indoor plants. Human−animal interactions are known to activate oxytocin production in our body, which counteracts the effects of stress. MINDFULNESS This is a technique that allows you to remain in the present, observing your thoughts and feelings without judgement. Anxiety is future based. Therefore, one of the benefits of practisingmindfulness is that by being in the present, you cannot By Kelly Farr Wellbeing trainer, coach, and founder of mental health training company YourNorth, Kelly Farr advises on how to avoid burnout and build resilience through your career change. T AVOIDING BURNOUT: MANAGING STRESS & BUILDING RESILIENCE