If you’re thinking about entering the job market, you may well be in the “detachment” stage with your current employer. This is where the numbers of “pull” factors at work are outweighed by the “push” factors. Pull factors are the things you like about your current employer. Push factors are the things that are driving you away.

“Detachment” and transition can be an emotionally draining time.

If you’re in this stage, you may well be experiencing feelings associated with insecurity. These can include frustration, anger, depression, lethargy and a whole host of other emotions. With the strong connection between mind and health, emotions like these can wreak havoc with your body at a time where you really do need to be in peak condition, both physically and emotionally.

To help our readers facing this predicament we bring you the first of a two part series on entering the workforce.

Meet Wellness Expert and Chiropractor Daryl Zeiderman. Daryl is owner of ChiroHQ in Maroubra. This week we speak about getting mind and body into tip-top shape for the rigours of the job search. Next week we cover how to maintain these habits when you start a new job to help you in the attachment phase of your employment.

Enough from us, over to Daryl:

AS: Sometimes your body tells you something is wrong before your head does. What are some physical signs you need take note of that tell you it’s time move jobs?

DZ: You are right.

How our body works is simply a reflection of how we choose to eat, move and think. It never lies. If we are connected to it, the signs are always there. Whether the role we are in is physically or mentally emotionally incongruent with our needs, our body can exhibit similar signs either way.

When we are not having our values met in our work, our bodies will respond by elevating our stress hormones to adapt to this stressful situation.  Fatigue and irritability are common. Also common are insomnia or interrupted sleep, headaches. Or you may find you just don’t jump out of bed each morning to greet each day.

Look out for recurrent immune problems like multiple colds and flu’s. You may catch whatever is going around just because it’s going around. Anxiety and depression are becoming more prevalent as are blood sugar swings and cravings for fat and sugar. Digestive issues like bloating, constipation also mean we have moved away from rest and digest and heal mode. As do problems with fertility and sex drive.

AS: What should we do to prepare ourselves for a job search in terms of mental health?

DZ: Firstly, some self-awareness is critical. Focus on what is important rather than simply what you do not like about the role you are currently in. It is helpful to do an analysis of your physical and mental-emotional values at the start of your job search to help you focus on finding the right job. Then you will be less likely to expend energy in pursuing jobs you are not likely to be enthusiastic about and therefore successful in securing.

From a mental point of view we should aim to choose a job that is congruent with our values, goals and sense of purpose.  For example, if I have a high value on helping people regain their health, and I applied for a management position at McDonalds, that may be considered incongruent and create internal conflict and stress.

Equally, from a physical standpoint we should consider how the conditions of the job are going to support our physical values. So what are the requirements for hours, the travel times etc? What are the facilities like? Is the job going clash with your martial arts class on a Thursday night?  Again this helps us identify roles that will benefit us in the long term.

AS: From the practical perspective of actually getting into shape physically before a job search, what should people be doing?

DZ: Start by adding good things first before giving up anything. Giving up things with sheer willpower rarely works or lasts long. For most people the pain and charge they associate with giving up chocolate, for example, is far greater than the emotions they experience when they add some real live foods like raw fruits and vegetables into their day

Increase how much water you drink and add lemon and lime to the water to alkalise it. Adding a purified omega 3 fish oil supplement is also a great idea.  A green smoothie in the morning is another very healthy choice.  Choose grass fed meats over grain fed meats which contain no omega 3’s and lots of unhealthy fats.

If you are inactive do start to increase your physical activity. If your activity is zero simply start with walking every day, outdoors preferably and ideally first thing in the morning. Each day increase the amount of time, distance, or the intensity/pace of your walk. This increment may be as small as one step or as large as you wish. Slow, gradual improvement is the best way to go as you will find it easier to sustain the exercise.

AS: How can you achieve sustainable good habits, and maximise the benefits?

DZ: To increase your chances of sustaining the good work, try to find a walking partner or group. That will keep you motivated and have a social benefit.

To maximize the impact try to walk on a trail or some uneven surface as much as possible. Find some hills or stairs to walk up and include this into your walk at least 2 times a week. Even one stair is fine to start with! Practice walking backwards at least a few steps on every walk. This is the best way to start exercising. Then you can start thinking about resistance exercise and other things like pilates or yoga groups which are very useful.

AS: What are the benefits of taking this approach?

DZ: Firstly we should recognise that the two reasons  people get sick are that they are missing something they genetically require to express normal function, and/or they are toxic with something that they haven’t yet evolved to adapt to – like sitting down all day or drinking coca-cola.

Toxicity and deficiency in how we eat move and think pushes us further into stress and eventual burnout. Genetically as a species our requirements for health are essentially the same. So by adding healthy ingredients we can move ourselves back towards health. That means more energy, more balanced moods, great memory and concentration, better cognition and communication, better sleep, digestion, immune function, balance, strength, agility, more love and gratitude.

These things go a long way in the workplace, at home, and towards helping you stay energetic and focussed when you look for a new job.

About Daryl Zeiderman

Daryl has been in practice for 16 years.

In 2000 he found out that it was possible to be fit but very unhealthy when he discovered he had cancer. This shock motivated him to look further into where health originates. In 2005 he completed a Wellness Certification encompassing how people eat, move and think. This changed his whole perspective on health. He now teaches this in practice as well delivering chiropractic care. He helps a whole range of clients implement healthier lifestyle choices by educating them as well as empowering them with tools to change.