Job Loss Creates High Anxiety

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Job Loss Creates High Anxiety

Job loss is an event that creates high anxiety. Feeling stressed, angry, anxious, upset, irritable, and fearful are some common emotions around job loss. Job loss can also be accompanied by physical signs of distress such as aches and pains through your body.

If you lost your job, or are afraid of losing your job, then read this blog.

Losing a job or fear of losing your job can put you in a state of chronic anxiety. Living in chronic anxiety will drain your energy and keep you from being the best version of yourself.

This space is about a small, simple change that will help you reduce anxiety and feel calmer.

Reducing anxiety positively impacts your health and wellbeing and will allow you to think more clearly and act more effectively.

Breathe with “Mindfulness” to reduce anxiety from job loss

For years, I suffered from anxiety without knowing how to manage it. During the workday I would rush from task to task, letting stress overtake my emotions. By the end of the day, I felt exhausted and drained. Often, I felt as though a big knot was wound tightly inside my gut. I felt like I was constantly on-edge and unable to truly relax. But everything shifted when I learned how to breathe with mindfulness for the purpose of calming my emotions. Once I committed to mindful breathing, I began to do it for five minutes first thing in the morning, and the anxiety began to melt away.

Breathe Mindfully as a Practice

Breathing mindfully does not have to be a full breath practice lasting 20-30 minutes. Just 5 minutes of gentle inhales and exhales, allowing my ribcage and belly to expand. I paid attention to my breath and to the movement of my ribs and belly. I also began to count the breaths, starting with an equal ratio of inhales and exhales. Beginning with an inhale to a count of 3, I followed it with exhale count of 3. This kept my mind focused on my breathing. As I continued to practice, I was able to increase the number of inhales and exhales to 6. The goal wasn’t to reach a target number, but to achieve a feeling of inner calm and balance. When I did this in the morning, I felt calm and properly prepared for the day.

Here’s what happened:

My mood improved – I began my day feeling calmer as though my body were alert and in a state of neutral. This is like putting a car in neutral before you start it and drive off.

I was able to get through the day feeling less anxious and better able to negotiate the challenges of daily life.

It made me want to feel this way all the time – by taking mini-breaks throughout the day and doing my breathe practices as needed. After all, I would be breathing no matter what, so I may as well benefit from doing it mindfully.

Your Turn: Try this tomorrow

Set your alarm 5-10 minutes earlier and:

Get out of bed.
No phone. No to-do list.
Just breathe, start with a comfortable count for each inhale and exhale

Then notice how your day feels. Lighter? Calmer? More in control?

This habit didn’t save my life overnight – but it did change the way I live it.

If you try it, I’d love to hear how it goes.

Try this 5 minute Heart Focused Breathing practice.

Job Loss Creates High Anxiety

JOB LOSS CREATES HIGH ANXIETY