Training for a new job is an exciting time when you can learn new skills, develop your knowledge and meet new people. A career change can also allow you to improve your future job prospects and increase your earning potential. That being said, training for a new job can also be stressful, particularly if you are still working or have other commitments and demands on your time. Many people also find learning new skills daunting and you may feel anxious about stepping outside of your comfort zone. The LGBTQ community can face additional challenges when job searching and you must find an inclusive workplace where you will feel welcomed and able to be your true self. When starting a new job, you should place a special focus on your mental health and take steps to protect your body, mind, and well-being. With that in mind, here are seven ways to boost your mental health when training for a new job.
When searching for new job opportunities, you must do thorough research and find organizations that are inclusive and supportive of the LGBTQ community. Fortunately, there has been a dramatic improvement in workplace diversity over the years and the majority of employers are proactive in ensuring that their workplaces are inclusive of LGBTQ people. Look for forward-thinking companies that are champions in diversity. You can gain an understanding of an organization’s values by referring to their website, looking through their social media and reading testimonials from former and current employees. According to fastcompany.com, you can find LGBTQ-friendly employers by checking a company’s litigation history online, requesting a company’s diversity and employment policies, and asking whether there are any resource groups geared towards LGBTQ employees. Keep in mind that you must find a workplace where you can present your true and authentic self. The last thing you want is to invest time and money training for a job where you are going to feel uncomfortable or out-of-place.
Training for a new job can be stressful, particularly if you have other demands to worry about such as work or family commitments. Too much stress can harm your mental wellbeing and put you at higher risk of health conditions, like high blood pressure or depression. With that in mind, you must get organized early and learn to manage your time well. Maximizing your productivity will allow you to get more done without feeling stressed or burnt out. If you are completing a qualification, make sure you create a clear study schedule and decide when you are going to complete your learning tasks. This will help you stay organized and motivate you to complete assessments on time. Identify your key goals and decide what you need to do to achieve each objective. Creating a to-do list for each day can be an effective way to improve your time management and meet your specific goals and objectives when studying or training for a new job. There is a fantastic selection of articles online offering time management tips to boost your productivity.
Online learning can be an excellent option if you are considering changing careers and training for a new job role. This is especially true if you have commitments preventing you from enrolling with traditional classroom-based courses and qualifications. Remote learning has made it possible for many people to re-train and transition into a new career. For example, accelerated nursing programs in USA have made the process of training to become a nurse far quicker and more convenient. These courses allow students with the relevant experience to earn a nursing program online in just one year. The biggest advantage of remote learning is convenience. Online courses offer greater flexibility and allow you to earn qualifications from the comfort of your home. This has made education far more accessible and means that anyone can now boost their job outlook by gaining additional qualifications. Opting for online courses can remove some of the pressures of training as you are not restricted by set learning schedules. You can fit study around your daily commitments and complete learning tasks at your own pace. For that reason, many people find online courses more relaxed and enjoyable.
Training for a new job and joining a new organization can be daunting. You may be anxious about not knowing anyone or having a lack of support in the workplace. If you have just started working for a new company, make an effort to connect with your colleagues and managers. Most companies have employee introduction schemes in place and there may even be a social committee that organizes social events. Get involved in any social activities and try to build meaningful connections with people in the workplace. A recent workplace survey by CNBC found that “70 percent of employees believe that having friends at work is the most crucial element to a happy working life.” Maintaining close bonds with your coworkers will boost your mood and improve your mental wellbeing which in turn will increase your engagement and productivity. If you are training for a new job remotely via an online course, it is still possible to interact with people online. Connect with other learners via online platforms or use social channels like Linkedin to grow your professional network and build relationships with people in your industry.
When you are training for a new job, you are likely to be busy and may not have much free time. However, you should always try to maintain an active lifestyle regardless of how busy you are. Medical experts recommend that adults should do around 150 minutes of exercise each week to stay in good health. Being active will help you avoid unwanted weight gain and lower your risk of developing medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes. On top of this, exercise is also a fantastic way to boost your mental health as it releases endorphins which create feelings of happiness. Regular exercise can help you release stress when training for a new job and should improve your overall mood and emotional wellbeing. You can easily incorporate more physical activity into your day by going for a walk on your lunch break, cycling to work, or doing home workout DVDs. You can also join a fitness center or sign up to exercise classes as a way to increase your fitness and meet new people. There is a fantastic variety of LGBTQ-friendly gyms and fitness centers where you can exercise and meet like-minded people in a relaxed and comfortable setting.
Most people know the health benefits of following a nutritious diet. However, eating healthily can be a challenge when you are busy trying to balance multiple daily demands. Being strapped for time often results in people reaching for fast food that contain high amounts of sugar, fat, and salt. Microwave meals and processed foods may seem like a convenient option, but it will not benefit you in the long-run. Eating an unhealthy diet can lead to numerous health issues including weight gain, diabetes, lack of energy and low mood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a diet plan that focuses on fruit, vegetables, whole grains and protein from lean meat, eggs and nuts. They also recommend that you should stay within your daily calorie needs and limit the amount of salt, sugar and saturated fat within your diet. You can use a health app like Fitbit to track your food and monitor your daily calorie intake. This will encourage you to follow a healthy diet and help you maintain your ideal weight. Preparing meals in advance will also make it easier to stick with a healthy meal plan and avoid processed junk food.
There are likely to be times in your life when work takes priority. Training for a new job may be an example of a time when you will be required to work harder and invest more time into your career. That being said, you should still maintain a healthy work-life balance or you risk becoming stressed and burnt out. You must take adequate breaks from work tasks to relax and recharge. Make sure that you enjoy activities outside of work and try to avoid letting work tasks intrude on time spent with family, friends, etc. If you are struggling to maintain a work-life balance then consider ways to reduce work pressure and ease any stress.
Training for a new job and transitioning into a different career is exciting, but it can also be a stressful experience. You are likely to be busy and have a lot of competing demands on your time. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to protect your well-being and ensure that you remain healthy and happy. Follow the above suggestions to boost your mental health when training for a new job.
