CAREER PURSUIT 2021

10 EXPERT ADVICE - EMPLOYMENT be worrying about the ‘what next?’ and the ‘what ifs’.This makes it a very effective preventativemeasure or coping strategy. BE CREATIVE You know that thing you wanted to try for ages and kept putting off? Well, now is the perfect time to do it! Being creative and trying new things is great for our mental health, especially activities that involve connecting with others. There are plenty of in-person and online groups you can join, offering a diverse range of activities. Crafting is fantastic and an excellent way to introduce mindfulness into an activity. Think about a hobby you used to enjoy and, for some reason, stopped doing… and maybe give it another go! CONNECTWITH OTHERS Nurturing positive relationships is so important for our wellbeing, especially during times like this past year when there have been so many restrictions. Reach out to friends and family via phone or video message, or write a letter to someone you haven’t been in touch with in a while. If you are lonely, reach out to a support group or volunteer to befriend others who feel isolated. If you have recently moved to a new area, join the local Facebook page and see what’s happening in your neighbourhood. DEEP BREATHING One of the most effective tools for managing stress and anxiety is breathwork – there are so many techniques to choose from, including box breathing, finger breathing, etc. A very effective breathing technique is to place your hand on your heart and think of a loved one while you breathe deeply, as this also activates oxytocin production and reduces stress. SLEEP HYGIENE Good quality sleep is vital for your wellbeing. If sleep is an issue, consider implementing a routine to wind down before bedtime. This could involve avoiding any device that emits blue light for about an hour before bed and ensuring your bedroom is comfortable and a cool temperature. Do something relaxing, like taking a bath − sprinkle in some Epsom bath salts, as this increases your magnesium levels, which in turn reduces your stress hormones. Listening to binaural beats assists sleep, as the frequency is engineered to slow down your brain waves, and lavender essential oil on your pillow works really well to help you relax. Be mindful of using drugs and/or alcohol to aid sleep. WORKPLACE SUPPORT NETWORKS Regardless of whether you are employed, self-employed, or seeking employment, it’s important to have a supportive network around you to offer advice and guidance if needed. Create a support committee, comprising colleagues or like- minded professionals, a mentor or career coach, and also make sure you have access to a mental health professional or at least know where to go for help. WORKING FROMHOME With so many of us now working from home, it can sometimes be tricky to strike that work−life balance and have the discipline to ‘switch off when we clock off’. It’s crucial to establish a productive work area and have a workday routine. Factor in appropriate breaks throughout the day and find the balance between how much work you feel you should do and how much you actually have to do. Stay in touch with colleagues and/or your support network, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. GRATITUDE Gratitude is the secret weapon in the quest for improved wellbeing. As we come out of living through a really challenging period, it’s important we focus on what we do have, rather than what we don’t have. Gratitude releases dopamine, which is the brain’s ‘reward centre’, and the more we are grateful for, the more we find to be grateful for. In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently linked to greater happiness. You can express and practise gratitude through journalling, telling people, writing letters, popping notes in a gratitude jar, or keeping a ‘pleasant events’ diary, which is an ‘in-the-moment’ journal. SELF-TALK Last, but definitely not least, let’s chat about self-talk – or more specifically, negative self-talk. Unless you’ve got this under control, it can sometimes be tricky to get any of the above done. Negative self-talk is also the fuel for the dreaded imposter syndrome, which has a knack of raising its head when we are feeling particularly low or going through a challenging period in our lives. A powerful exercise to combat negative self-talk is to write down what you say to yourself and then form an affirmation which is the complete opposite. Repeat this to yourself often to reinforce the positive. Regardless of what your negative internal voice says, you ARE enough… you are so ridiculously enough! If you are concerned about your mental health, please speak with a healthcare professional or relevant professional agency. Kelly Farr − YourNorth Website: www.yournorth.co.uk Email: info@yournorth.co.uk Facebook: @YourNorthUK Twitter: @YourNorth