Are you thinking of changing your career path? You're not alone; more and more people are deciding to change jobs now that restrictions have ended. Whilst initially, the pandemic created an air of uncertainty surrounding the security of people's jobs, it seems that now there is more of a shift towards seeking new ventures. This may be because the pandemic has emphasised workers' values such as spending time with family and balancing a healthy lifestyle; however, companies are unwilling to accommodate workers' needs now that work-life has resumed. If you're anything like me, you may have gotten into running, home workout videos and regular family zoom calls - all of these were our coping mechanisms throughout lockdown and significantly improved our sense of wellbeing. However, the return of work threatens the routines we built up during lockdown and may mean sacrificing the things that bring you happiness. Of course, some people are eagerly awaiting the return to work and their old routines, but for others, it has made them question the significance of their job in relation to what truly makes them happy. Hence why 26% of workers are planning to switch jobs post-pandemic. The idea of leaving any job brings upon us a sense of uncertainty which thus stimulates anxieties and other mental health problems. This is entirely normal and not something to be ashamed of talking about. Unfortunately, anxiety can often be downplayed, and people may not understand the physical and mental effects it can cause in their day-to-day life. However, it's essential to understand that leaving your job to pursue happiness is one of the greatest forms of self-care to preserve your mental well being and lead an overall stress-free, happier life.

How to cope with anxiety

Ease the transition

You already had to face the transitional shift when lockdown hit us, then as soon as we became accustomed to the new ways of living, we were thrust back into normality and resuming our old routines. The back and forth shifts in routine as we entered numerous lockdowns wreaked havoc on many of our lives and was a huge stressor for most as our daily lives were continually disrupted. The psychological impact this has upon us can be devastating. That is why it is essential to ease yourself into new routines, rather than throw yourself in the deep end - most likely, this shock will cause you to drown. Take things at a pace that you find comfortable; this may differ between people.

Go easy on yourself!

Keeping track of your emotions as things change is a great way of logging and understanding how changes to your routine can affect you. Therefore you can learn from this and try to understand how to adjust better to the situation. Looking after yourself is the main priority above all; wanting to change jobs to prioritise your happiness is an amazingly powerful thing to do in life - something that many others cannot do. It's important to remember this to reassure yourself why your decision to leave is best for you. Staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital during these times, don't let stress consume you and instead remember to stick to healthy habits.

Seek help

Following the above steps is a significant first step in tackling anxiety, sometimes it might not be enough. Seeking the advice of a trained professional can have a huge benefit on your life as you can talk through what is causing you to stress in a safe place and learn how to understand and cope with feelings of anxiety before they develop further. Seeking a therapist is nothing to be ashamed of, especially during these times of uncertainty; it can be reassuring to know that there is one constant in your life, one person who you can always rely on. If you are interested in seeking help, please don't hesitate to contact me today. I am always here to listen and understand how challenging these times can be, incredibly how difficult it can be to leave a job that you may have worked at for years! Sometimes, we all need a bit of extra support, and that's what I am here for. More and more people are seeking the help of a therapist as a means of dealing with the trials of the pandemic; please don't let your feelings of anxiety develop detrimentally. Seek help now so you can get back on track with your life.