Managing Stress During Career Transitions
If you’re here on my website, it’s likely because you’re in—or considering—a career transition. And to state the obvious: transitions are stressful. Whether it’s leaving a toxic work environment, facing a layoff that will soon eliminate your paycheck, or navigating a seemingly endless job search, it’s natural to feel tension and worry.
Feeling stress in these situations is completely normal. Career changes are major life events, and according to the Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory, many of the most stressful experiences a person can have are related to work and career.
So how can we take care of ourselves when these stressors feel overwhelming? We can take meaningful action on what’s within our control. We can set boundaries at work, advocate for ourselves, update our LinkedIn profile, or enlist support to refresh a résumé. These steps are empowering and necessary, but they don’t automatically calm the stress response in our bodies.
In Burnout, Emily and Amelia Nagoski remind us that the strategies for managing stressors aren’t the same as the strategies for managing our body’s response to stress. In other words, how we respond to a micromanaging boss isn’t the same as how we process the stress that relationship creates in our body.
The Nagoskis describe the concept of completing the stress cycle. This is the process of allowing the physiological stress response in our body to fully release, so tension doesn’t stay trapped inside.
Ways to complete the stress cycle include:
Physical activity: running, swimming, boxing, dancing
Deep, slow breathing
Positive social interactions
Laughter, affection, or crying
Creative expression
You’ll know the stress cycle is complete when you notice a shift in your body: muscles relax, breath deepens, and you may notice a sense of release.
But what if the stressor is constant? You might be required to see a difficult boss daily or you may be facing urgent unemployment challenges. Completing the stress cycle regularly (even daily) is critical.
Incorporating small ways to release built-up tension into your routine can make a huge difference. Your body will thank you, and you may find you have more energy and creativity to handle the challenges of your career transition.
You got this!
Have questions? Not sure where to start? I’d love to help! Schedule a complimentary Discovery Call with me here.