The year 2022 saw a line of mass layoffs. However, the start of the year 2023 hasn't been any better. In fact, it has been wreaking havoc in the lives of thousands of people who got laid off from renowned companies.?
Amazon, Twitter, Google, Salesforce and around 90 other tech companies globally fired more than 50,000 employees. The saddening part about this is that no one, literally no one was spared here. Even those employees who have been working in these companies for decades were laid off due to low demand. Even the new hires were not spared and have been vulnerable.
Obviously, being laid off is the worst outcome one can imagine especially with the global recession looming over our heads. Not only does it leave one financially vulnerable but it also physically and mentally hampers one's growth.?
Dr Rishi Gautam, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, The GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences in Washington DC, USA says "layoffs and loss of employment are very stressful experiences for most people. It is a time filled with uncertainties, economic challenges and loss of control over your future."
This can impact a professional's life and mental health immensely.?
Suddenly losing a high-paying or stable job can leave a person in shock. If one has been in the same company for a while or was not expecting this outcome, they can end up mentally causing a person harm. One can have anxiety about the future and how they will support themselves and their family. This can also cause a person to get depressed since they may start doubting themselves and their work.?
The thought of having an uncertain future after being laid off from a job can cause a lot of stress if there is no other source of income. Stress can cause one to stay awake at night or wake up several times. This can also lead to stress eating or not eating at all. This depends from person to person.?
A lot of people resort to drugs and alcohol to escape reality. The stress of not having a job to go to or the fact that one needs to pay the bills and support the family can lead one to escape it. This can obviously turn into the risk of unhealthy consumption of drugs and alcohol. Many can even take up smoking to avoid stress.?
Suddenly losing a job can make a big dent in one's self-esteem. Even though the reason may not be due to their performance, it can make an employee wonder why them. This can lead them to feel underconfident and question their worth or if they are at all good at their job. This may also stop them from applying for other jobs thinking they won't get hired in the first place.?
The person's irritability can also reflect at home. This can lead to?conflict and tension within a family. This can include disagreements, misunderstandings, and a lack of communication or cooperation among family members. This may also cause a lot of emotional harm and strain in one's relationships.?
Even though times may seem tough and it may seem like things are not going the way one thought they would, being laid off or getting fired is not the end of the world.?
In tough times it is the support of loved ones that helps one sail through. So, maintaining supportive relationships with family and friends is something that will help one come out of a tough situation. Not only can they help emotionally and mentally but who knows your loved ones can help you find a job you are actually suited for.?
Several studies have proved how exercising can help in improving mental health and mood. It also helps in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Not just that, exercise helps improve the quality of sleep. Other than that, practising mindfulness can help you remain calm in times of crisis and make you see things clearly so that you don't panic.?
Journaling is a great way to organise one's thoughts.?It is a great stress reliever as it helps provide a safe space to express one's thoughts and help one make a decision or understand the problem points that we can find a solution to. When one is having difficulty figuring out the way they feel, writing about it can really help see things in a positive light.?
Stay away from negative thoughts like ¡°I will never have a job again or I will never enjoy my work again etc.¡± Keeping a positive outlook towards things will help you work harder on getting the new job. Who knows, the new job you find is actually one you have always wished for and is a gift in disguise.?
After this big dent and taking some time out, one can start creating a plan to forward. This can include updating the resume, going through a job search and budgeting plan. This will help one feel more in control and give you a sense of direction.
Losing a job can impact one's mental health terribly. If the above ways don't help then seeking professional help to come out of the misery may be a great idea. The emotional impact of this change can be hard to handle and getting the right help is always a good idea.?
Even though being laid off is a stressful event, this does not have to be the end of the world. This can be a learning experience to move forward and better.?
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