What do you do if you need to practice mindfulness while navigating a layoff?

No one ever wants to be in the situation of Layoff. It can be stressful and frustrating to be in that position and it's completely normal. As humans, we regulate many emotions that are associated with our current situation. If you can acknowledge what you're feeling, you're one step closer to solving the problem. Become mindful about your feelings. Don't try to control them, let it pass. Once you are over it, your mind will be clear.

Think of meditation/mindfulness as "exercise for the brain" & physical exercise (walking, gym, workouts, etc) as "exercise for the body, to prevent illness & stay strong". We should be doing physical exercise every day (even if just a short walk). Therefore, we should be doing meditation/mindfulness every day too - also to prevent illness & stay strong - not just when we're struggling with the turmoil of work layoffs. So, use the layoff as an opportunity to find a meditation/mindfulness style you enjoy & practice it daily until it becomes a part of your daily routine (like physical exercise). Then once you're back into work, you'll be mentally stronger, more resilient and healthier - more focused and energetic - every day.

There are two main practices that I use in the moment when I notice the nervous system becoming dysregulated. 1. Return to the senses: Intentionally redirecting attention the sensations in the body, particularly where the feet contact the floor. This supports us to have some space from the mental chatter which drives nervousness and can allow us to feel supported and grounded. 2. Slow exhales: We tend to overbreathe when we are feeling under pressure. This exacerbates the feelings of stress and doesn't allow us to respond from our best. Intentionally lengthening the exhale, and even pausing after the out breath, supports a return to calm.

Don't isolate yourself in hard times like this. Connect with your close buddies, family or a mentor. Share how you feel after the layoff. Listen to what they have to say with an open mind. Make sure you only share with your well wishers who genuinely care about you. When you share how you feel, your mind and heart become lighter.

Getting laid off can be agonising. It’s natural to feel angry, wronged, helpless and doubtful of one’s abilities. At times like this be mindful that it’s easy to spiral into negativity. If one gives in to toxic feelings, it will cause more heartache/financial misery. Be proactive. Make a strong primary plan plus backup plans to get hired. Brush up your cv/linkedIn profile, post that you are ‘open to work’ Follow up on vacancy leads, prospects,recruitment agencies, connections consistently. Find some gigs to keep you occupied via social media or freelancers. Meanwhile stay fit, active and in the know how of your industry. Meditate, practise mindfulness, internalise positive affirmations, image yourself happy at a new workplace.

Navigating a layoff is a very big challenge in itself. It can sometimes lead to existential crisis. Practising Mindfulness ?? can help you to a great extent in this scenario. Mindfulness will calm your mind, Channel your thoughts and help you embrace your emotions. It will help you in such a way that you will feel this layoff to be just a needed step in your bright future. ??

Navigating a Layoff is overwhelming: the pressure can create self-doubts and can affect one's confidence too: Hence, practicing mindfulness not only help to overcome the thoughts, but also direct us towards something better: Follow this if anyone is going through lay offs 1. Acceptance - that it is happening, when one door closes, the other opens up (self-reflection) 2. Approach - work on skills rather concentrating on the core job, this gives ample opportunity towards unlocking other doors 3. AIM - Aim is something which will give you the direction towards where you have to move - seek guidance found this useful? "Mindfulness is not staying in present, it's living in present."