Tips for Introverts on Coping With a Stressful Divorce at Work - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Tips for Introverts on Coping With a Stressful Divorce at Work - Introvert Whisperer Tips for Introverts on Coping With a Stressful Divorce at Work Divorce is stressful. Trying to maintain your family and professional life while navigating through the process can be downright exhausting. Some people find solace in putting all of their efforts into their job, while others struggle to keep their personal life from affecting their workplace responsibilities. As an introvert, you may retreat from work friendships or social events in an attempt to steer clear of the emotional turmoil you’re going through at home â€" but there might be a better way. You must find a balance between your personal divorce troubles and work responsibilities to stay healthy, active, and productive in and out of the office. Unfortunately, there is no magic recipe for staying stress-free in the workplace. However, there are some strategies you can use to create healthy coping mechanisms you can use at work. Before we discuss a few tips, let’s review the state of divorce in America and why it can be a stressful time for introverts. Understanding Divorce and Stress The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that there were more than 2.2 million marriages in 2017. There were also 787,251 divorces in 45 states during the same period. Couples choose to get divorced for a variety of reasons, such as infidelity or the loss of a connection. One survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau reported that financial trouble is a major deciding factor in many divorces. People who make at least $97,000 per year had the lowest divorce rate, and those who were unemployed experienced much higher rates of divorce. Once a couple decides to move forward with getting a divorce, many decisions must be made. A few examples include what happens with the couples home and other marital assets and how to divide time with the children. If the end of the marriage was related to financial struggles, figuring out how much a divorce will cost and who will pay for it can add to the tension. All of these decisions may leave you feeling stressed, tired, and disconnected from the world around you, which can affect your ability to work effectively and efficiently on the job. Many people believe that introverts deal with the stress of divorce differently than their extroverted counterparts. The changes at home can alter your day-to-day life and set you into a tailspin. You may be mulling over the details of the break-up, which can lead to feeling distracted. Introverts often go into hibernation and need to be left alone, which others may not understand. Your unique way of handling the stress of divorce isn’t wrong, it’s just part of who you are as a person. Practical Tips for Dealing with Divorce Stress at Work Dealing with the stress of divorce will probably affect all areas of your life. You must find strategies to use to keep you on track at work. Here are a few tips you can use to boost your engagement and productivity on-the-job. Take Some Time Off Introverts need to be alone when going through stressful situations. If you recognize that the quality and quantity of your work is slipping, it may be time to take a few days off. Talk to your manager or the human resources department to see what kind of options you may have for getting some much-needed time away from work. Stay Organized Work can be challenging on a good day. When your mind is preoccupied with the stress of divorce and all the decisions you need to make, it can feel downright impossible. To stay on top of deadlines and other important tasks at work, make sure to stay organized in order to manage your stress levels. Don’t overbook your days with too much work and learn to manage your tasks proactively to lessen the amount of stress you feel. One strategy you can use to manage work is to create a list of 10 items that must be done the next day before you leave work each evening. Highlight the most important 3 or 4 tasks that have to be completed. Place the list in an easy to see spot on your desk so that you can get started in the morning without having to think about what needs to be done. Practice Mindfulness You must practice mindfulness at work and at home. If you’re having a stressful day, take a walk outside or find a quiet place to sit. You can also practice deep breathing exercises or body scan meditation to minimize distractions and refocus your attention to the work at hand. Make sure to eat a healthy diet, get plenty of rest, and participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day to reduce stress levels. Seek Help When You Need It You may struggle to admit that you need professional mental health assistance. Counselors, social workers, or psychologists can offer a safe place to discuss your feelings. You might also need to seek counseling services for your children during and after the divorce. Ask your manager if your company offers an employee assistance program. These programs help to find mental health providers quickly and may even be free to use. Coping Well at Work No matter how stressful things get at home, it’s critical to remember that your divorce and these feelings will pass. Keep in mind that your mental health is essential to your overall well being, job performance, and your feelings of job satisfaction. Use these four tips to strategically get what you need when going through a divorce at work. Image Source: Unsplash By: Frankie Wallace Frankie Wallace is a blogger from Boise, Idaho and a recent graduate from the University of Montana. Wallace contributes to a variety of different blogs online and focuses on writing about career advice. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!   Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer