Managing Stress During The Job Search

By Brooke Strickland

You have finished ophthalmology training and now it is time to apply for a job. Finding your first position as an eye surgeon is difficult, and you might find yourself getting easily stressed out. So, follow some of these stress management tips to ease your mind.

Exercise: Clearing your head by taking a walk, running, or playing a sport is one of the best ways to de-stress. You can work out your frustration and when you are done, you will likely feel more refreshed and ready to tackle what’s ahead.

Find a hobby: Finding something you enjoy to get your mind off of the job search. Try to participate in this hobby at least once a week. By giving yourself something else to focus on, you can give yourself a sense of accomplishment in another part of your life – especially if your job or financial situation may not be what you want it to be.

Don’t bottle up your emotions: Stress is bound to produce some emotions within you. Building up stress is not good for you or those around you, so expressing your emotions in a healthy way is the best way to deal with that.

Rest your mind with music: Soft, soothing music can help put your mind at ease. Resting your brain is not only good to calm stress, but also helps you think clearly when you are ready to start back at the job search.

Redirect those negative thoughts: Changing the way you view a situation has been shown to reduce anxiety and ultimately give people a more positive outlook on life. So when you are having an anxious thought or feel stress coming on, find something positive to dwell on and outline ways to handle your situation in the best way possible.

Keep a schedule: Maintaining a routine helps reinforce the control and responsibility you have over your own life.

Focus on the big picture: Instead of dwelling on the little things, remember what’s important and that you are part of something larger, whether that be your community of family and friends, or the city around you. This can help you feel less isolated and will help you be more optimistic.

The bottom line: know your body and what triggers your stress. Even when times are tough, following some simple guidelines of relaxing and re-energizing yourself will greatly help manage the stresses and anxieties of every day life.