Work covers a multitude of activities from all kinds of paid employment to giving time and energy within a group. Whatever the range of work undertaken, it usually provides meaning and purpose to a person’s life with the addition of social connectedness and, in many instances, financial stability. These are all important contributors towards mental health and, depending on individual conditions, can affect well-being in varying ways.
Drawing by Charlie Mackesy from http://www.facebook.com/Charliemackesyart
Whatever an individual’s experience may be whilst working, the forced or otherwise loss of work can have a major negative effect on mental health. The loss of paid employment through redundancy or retirement for example, can severely impact a person’s mental health. In these cases, the emotional pain experienced includes a collection of losses which can easily lead to depression.
● The loss of contact with peers and the working world will often lead to a reduction in self-confidence and low self-esteem.
● The loss of regular structure in daily life can lead to low motivation and feelings of emptiness.
● The loss or reduction of earnings is likely to create anxiety and stress.
The nature of all these negative consequences of job loss also makes it difficult for a person to help themself move forward.
From volunteering, freelance working, or relocating elsewhere, the same kind of losses and consequences may face those who, for whatever reason, cease to work.
In all the above examples of loss, perhaps the most useful first step to finding renewed purpose and mental well-being, is to take the courage to talk about these feelings of loss to a trustworthy person. For example, a family member or friend not involved in the same loss, or a life coach. Talking about feelings has become a bit of a cliche these days, but it is a useful and valid starting point. Although this starting point alone can be extremely difficult to achieve. Such a start, however, should lead towards discussions about a possible path to restoring social connectedness, self-confidence, motivation, and new goals.
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