Mental Health of Employees after facing layoffs

Losing a job may be unpleasant in a variety of ways and have an influence on many areas of life. It not only causes uncertainty, money loss, and stress from job searching, but it also has a detrimental effect on self-esteem and frequently results in identity crises. As a result, a person may find it difficult to interact with others, go to social gatherings, or even speak to their family members out of concern about their opinion. Long-term unemployment can be even more damaging since it makes a person feel despondent, gloomy, and demotivated, all of which can have an impact on their personality over time.

"There are several ways in which being unemployed might harm a person's health. Because of the loss of the normal workweek or the stigma attached to unemployment, it may cause stress and low self-esteem. Financial difficulty, employment uncertainty, and lowered future earning potential might all occur to a person. Then there is the social security system, which through the claims process, employment capacity tests, and job-seeking?requirements may be detrimental to mental health.

The worry among Fellow employees:

It shouldn't come as a surprise that those who lose their employment see an improvement in their physical and mental health; nevertheless, it is unheard of for those who are able to maintain their positions following an unanticipated layoff or other sorts of workforce reduction to simultaneously experience high levels of stress.

The "surviving?employee" is frequently required to shoulder both their own problems and those of their laid-off co-workers, who are under added stress and worry about their future employment. Also, there is an increase in the signs and symptoms of depression, chronic pain, inadequate diet, self-care habits, and the use of sick days and leaves.

As word of layoffs spreads, the indirect harm to people who were laid off can set off a chain reaction of discouragement and worry in the workplace. Employees begin to worry about the future if there is no clear knowledge of the successful steps the organization?has made in the past.

Tips to take care of your mental health amid layoffs:

• Keep in touch with your loved ones and friends:

Maintaining communication with your loved ones and friends is essential. Also, you want to inform them about happenings that are taking on in your life. Receive assistance and support from them since they actually care about your feelings.

• Be careful:

During challenging times when your mind is going through emotional turmoil, it's crucial to take care of your body. Exercise and working out regularly will help you feel less stressed and anxious. Be cautious of your diet and make sure you get enough sleep every night. Although it's perfectly appropriate to be in mourning, the longer you put off making preparations for the future, the longer it will take to return to normal.

• Spend some time taking care of yourself:

Discover hobbies and interests that you couldn't pursue while working. This is an opportunity to be gentle to yourself and employ stress-reduction tactics that will help you unwind. To feel more at peace, take a cooking lesson, learn how to dance, or learn music.

• Maintain an optimistic outlook:

Experts in mental health and online counseling advise maintaining a good attitude even when experiencing emotional upheaval. You can benefit much from this. Don't be hard on yourself and attempt to work with your therapist to regulate your emotions.

• Journaling:

Jot down your feelings, ideas, and emotions. Writing is a helpful way to express your negative feelings and make any problems you may be having clear. Making lists or any kind of writing may keep your thinking organized.

• Attempt to comprehend the best ways to relax your body and mind. You can experiment with relaxation techniques including deep breathing, mindfulness, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and grounding techniques to lessen your tension and anxiety.

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Conclusion:

Living in fear of a layoff can be crippling. By managing your mind and taking proactive steps, you can ease your concerns and set yourself up to respond to whatever the future throws at you.

References:

Layoff season: How losing a job impacts one’s mental health. (2023, February 2). Hindustan Times

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/layoff-season-how-losing-a-job-impacts-one-s-mental-health-101675339378029.html

Mental Health of Employees amid Layoffs | Blog | TalktoAngel. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2023, from https://www.talktoangel.com/blog/mental-health-of-employees-amid-layoffs

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