Taking time away from work to focus on your mental health is a courageous and necessary step in your healing journey. Now, as you contemplate returning to the workforce, you might feel a mix of emotions — hope, apprehension, determination, and perhaps a touch of anxiety. This blog post is designed to guide you through the process of re-entering the work world in a way that supports your continued healing and well-being.
Understanding Your Needs
After a mental health break, it’s crucial to reassess your needs and capabilities before diving back into work. This self-reflection can help you identify the type of work environment and schedule that will best support your continued recovery.
Before we dive into specific work options, take a moment to check in with yourself. How are you feeling about returning to work? What aspects excite you, and what makes you apprehensive? Remember, your feelings are valid, and acknowledging them is an important step in this process. Consider how your experiences during your break have shaped your needs and expectations for your return to work.
Exploring Flexible Work Options
As you contemplate your return to work, it’s important to consider options that will allow you to balance your professional life with your ongoing healing journey. Flexible work arrangements can provide the structure of employment while still giving you the space you need for self-care and continued recovery.
Here are some options to consider:
- Part-time Work: Starting with fewer hours can be a gentle way to ease back into a work routine. It allows you to gradually rebuild your stamina and confidence while maintaining time for self-care and therapy.
- Flexible Hours: Some employers offer flexible scheduling, allowing you to work during the times of day when you feel most comfortable and productive. This can be particularly helpful if you’re dealing with sleep disturbances or need to accommodate therapy appointments.
- Remote Work: Working from home can provide a sense of safety and control over your environment. It eliminates potential stressors like commuting and allows you to create a workspace that feels comfortable and secure.
- Job Sharing: This arrangement involves splitting a full-time position between two people. It can be an excellent option if you want to work but aren’t ready for the demands of a full-time role.
- Freelance or Contract Work: These options offer flexibility in terms of workload and schedule. They also allow you to choose projects that align with your current capacity and interests.
Communicating with Potential Employers
Open communication can be a powerful tool in finding a work situation that supports your needs. However, discussing mental health with employers can feel daunting, especially after a break. Remember, you’re in control of what you choose to share.
When exploring these options, you might find it helpful to discuss your needs in general terms. For example:
“I’m looking for a role that allows for a gradual increase in hours as I adjust to being back in the workforce.”
or
“Flexibility in scheduling is important to me as I have regular medical appointments I need to attend.”
Remember, many employers are becoming more aware of the importance of mental health and may be more accommodating than you might expect.
Self-Care in the Workplace
As you transition back into work, it’s essential to continue prioritizing the self-care practices that supported you during your break. Integrating these practices into your work routine can help maintain your mental health and prevent burnout.
Consider incorporating these strategies:
- Taking regular breaks throughout the day to practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques
- Setting clear boundaries around work hours and responsibilities
- Keeping a journal at work to track your progress and feelings
- Identifying a quiet space where you can go if you need a moment to regroup
- Continue with therapy or counseling, possibly adjusting appointment times to fit your new schedule
Remember, it’s okay to start small and gradually increase your workload as you feel ready. Your healing journey is unique, and there’s no “right” timeline for returning to work.
Your Next Step: Explore One Option
Contemplating a return to work after a mental health break can feel overwhelming. Instead of trying to figure everything out at once, let’s focus on one small, manageable step you can take today.
Choose one flexible work option from the list above that resonates with you. Spend some time researching this option further. Look for job listings that offer this arrangement, or consider how you might propose this setup to a potential employer. Remember, you’re not committing to anything yet — this is simply an exploration to help you understand your options better.
Questions for Self-Reflection and Journaling:
Self-reflection can be a powerful tool as you navigate this transition. These questions are designed to help you recognize your strengths and envision a positive return to work. Take some time to consider these questions, perhaps writing down your thoughts:
- Think of a time during your mental health break when you successfully navigated a challenging situation. What strengths did you draw upon that could be valuable in a work setting?
- How has your perspective on work-life balance changed during your time away? How might this new perspective benefit you in your return to work?
- Imagine your ideal first week back at work. What does it look like? How does it support your continued healing?
- Recall a moment when you effectively communicated your needs to someone. How could you apply those skills to discussing flexible work options with a potential employer?
- In what ways might easing back into work through flexible options contribute to your overall healing and growth?
An Invitation
If you’d like to join an online community of other resilient overcomers focusing on their careers, I invite you to join The Resilient Career Academy™ Community. (RCA Community)
The RCA Community is a FREE group dedicated to helping/supporting those working to overcome adversity and achieve their full potential in their careers.
The benefits to you are:
- Community. The community provides support, encouragement, the ability to share frustrations and get feedback from people who understand the struggle.
- Workplace/Career Resources. The group provides tools, resources, and templates to help you with your career journey.
- Available Coaching Support. The community is supported by trained and certified coaches who are available for individual sessions.
- Learning. You will have access to various trauma/workplace-related online courses developed by our coaches to help you in your journey.
- Workshops/Webinars . You will have access to practical workshops/webinars targeted to help you in the workplace grow your career.
If you are interested in joining us, click here: https://resilientcareeracademy.myflodesk.com/community
As always, you do not have to walk this journey alone. Contact me to schedule your free discovery call.
Trigger Tracker Template — This is a FREE resource to help you become aware of your triggers in the workplace and plan the coping strategies you will use to get through the experience.
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You can also visit my website for more information on courses and other freebies I offer at: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com.
Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash
Believer. Leader. Learner. Advocate. Writer. Speaker. Coach. Mentor. Triathlete. Encourager. Survivor.
Most of all, I am a fellow traveler on the rocky road called, Trauma Recovery. My mission is to minimize the effects of trauma for survivors in the workplace.
