Boost your brain power for your career change

In the post-pandemic world, workers are rethinking their careers and job-hopping is at record highs. For those ready to make a career change, it’s crucial to look after your cognitive health.

It’s no secret that the pandemic knocked us out of our normal routines, with many Australians frequently adjusting their home, work and leisure to accommodate changing restrictions and laws. Living through an era of disruption has taken its toll. New research from SFI Health — Home of Flordis found 30 per cent of millennials are feeling less calm and focussed at work and are uncertain about the future ahead of them. Restrictions may have eased, but a sense of unease still plagues a generation of disenfranchised workers.

If there was ever a perfect time to make a big life change, this is it. Times of uncertainty and transition offer new opportunities for growth and transformation. It’s no wonder then that many of us are rethinking how we manage our careers and time into the future. Research has revealed that nearly 40 per cent of the global workforce are considering resigning from their jobs this year in what has been dubbed “The Great Resignation”. This global phenomenon will see many Aussies looking for a career change, seeking a new role that can accommodate their needs and desires both inside and outside of the workplace.

However, the SFI Health research has also indicated that Gen Z and Millennials (18–33 years) don’t fare so well in the face of change, with 44 per cent revealing they are worried about their ability to stay calm and focused into the future. As we navigate the next few years of The Great Resignation, leading health experts say it’s paramount that we put the time and effort into our health and mental wellbeing, particularly when it comes to our cognitive abilities including maintaining a strong sense of calm, focus, rest and concentration.

With endless interviews, upskilling and awkward conversations to be had when it comes to a big career change, we sat down with leading holistic health expert Michelle Boyd, who shares her advice for maintaining strong cognitive abilities during a career leap.

Michelle, how can we best prepare, mentally, for a big life decision like a career change?

Career or major life changes often trigger a lot of stress, anxiety and restlessness in individuals. You will find that many people will put their health and wellbeing on the back burner while they navigate new routines, a lot of uncertainty and sometimes, unfortunately, rejection. However, your cognitive health, while something that is very easy to neglect, is incredibly necessary to maintain, and allows you to be in the best possible position for whatever is thrown your way.

The best way you can prepare cognitively for these changes is to make sure you stick to your basic habits and routines, and don’t let them fall to the wayside. If you have usual sleep/wake times, stick to them. If you go to the gym or exercise frequently, don’t stop now. While your days may look different for a while, don’t lose your basic lifestyle building blocks including good health, hygiene and nutrition. These simple habits help ground you each day, and especially while you’re in the midst of adjusting to a new role or change, allows you to function better in the hours that you are working.

How can we avoid burnout when juggling upskilling, searching for vacancies and applying for new jobs?

Burnout is another key thing people can experience during a big change; as with most people, we feel the need to do more to prove ourselves and thus work harder and longer. Between constant interviews, meetings, juggling and upskilling, it leads to a lot of lethargy if you don’t manage your time well.

A great way to avoid this is to schedule your days carefully, but importantly, make sure you are giving your brain time to switch between tasks. Avoid doing back-to-back interviews for two different companies, for example, or doing an interview for a new role in your current office. While it may seem like you are being time efficient and managing multiple things at once, what you’re really doing is making your attention and focus shift too quickly, which over time can create mental blocks or make you more susceptible to distractions. When you are juggling all these different elements, make sure you give yourself ample time to manage everything effectively.

How can we nurture self-confidence and manage interview anxiety?

If you have decided you want to make a big career move, there’s no doubt that it will be an anxious process, having to interview constantly and conduct hard and awkward conversations with bosses and colleagues. A great way to help manage this anxiety is just to be open and honest with your potential new employers about what you’re looking for in the role and making sure it’s the best fit for you in this next stage of life.

Before any interview, be sure to get a good night’s sleep, eat a good breakfast, arrive early and consider taking a walk around the block to settle your mind. Finally, if you’re finding that you’re anxious or lacking sleep and calm in the lead up to any interviews, there are a range of great naturally derived complementary medicines that can assist you in helping to ease those nerves get your cognitive health back on track before you conduct your interview.

There is so much research available about the benefits of supplements and complementary medicines. If you are looking to start adding supplements to your routine, make sure you do your research and use products whose efficacy has undergone clinical research. Always consult a health professional if you are unsure.

How to navigate a career change stress-free

1 Rest.

It’s important to balance new career commitments with plenty of free time. Rest is not a nice-to-have, it’s key for maintaining good mental health and your ability to focus. You are at your best and most productive when you nurture your mind.

2 Ask for help.

Look to mentors and your network for advice. Ask a friend in the industry you want to join for help with your resume, or approach a more senior employee for tips on speaking to your boss. You don’t have to navigate this alone, there’s plenty of help if you ask for it.

3 Explore complementary medicines.

When it comes to finding the right complementary medicines for you, it is important to use clinically researched products that have demonstrated efficacy for supporting cognitive health issues. Some well-studied naturally derived options include Flordis KeenMind, designed to help increase focus, calm and concentration.

Alternatively, if you are finding yourself struggling with sleep or stress, then you may want to speak to your health care practitioner about trying Flordis Remotiv, for symptoms of stress and mild anxiety, or Flordis ReDormin Forte, to relieve sleeplessness and promote healthy sleep patterns. Always speak to your healthcare professional to find the right option for you.

These medicines may not be right for you. Read the label before purchase. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.

References available on request. For more, visit flordis.com.au and @flordishealthau.