When you start a new job or make any life change, the adjustment period can be pretty tough. It’s important to find ways to balance your overall wellness while still growing at your job. Big life changes can encourage us to evaluate how we care for ourselves and learn what helps us be healthy and happy. Here are six self-care tips that will make your job transition easier.

1. Engage in exercise

Stress alters the brain in negative ways. According to Psychology Today, high levels of stress have been shown to atrophy important parts of the brain, like the hippocampus, which processes emotion and memory. If your brain isn’t firing on all cylinders and your working memory isn’t working at its capacity, this can make the transition to a new job harder and more stressful.

However, exercise has been shown to prevent atrophy of parts of the brain like the hippocampus. It boosts your body’s production of neurohormones that help you feel alert and maximize your ability to focus and learn. This is also critical for regulating your body’s internal chemistry if you’re recovering from addiction. Exercise not only improves your memory, but also improves your mood and prevents symptoms of depression and anxiety.

2. Minimize commute stress

The commute can be a source of chronic stress. It can leave you frenzied when you arrive at work and anxious about getting back home. Try listening to a podcast or audiobook that engages you and leaves your mind feeling alert. 

If you have a chance to carpool, there’s also a huge environmental and financial benefit to sharing a ride. An algorithm developed by MIT researchers even showed that if more people carpooled, it could speed up traffic and reduce the number of cars on the road. This can have a super positive impact on your stress.

3. Get your Zzz’s

When you’re starting a new job, keep your energy up because there’s a lot of new techniques and things to learn. Being sleep-deprived can prevent you from absorbing information and remember everything you’re being trained on.

Scientists have found that getting enough sleep allows your brain to form new connections and work at max capacity. Work on setting a nighttime schedule and listen to your body. Being on phones can trick you into thinking you’re not tired, so put away electronics at least 30 minutes before bed.

4. Write things down

If you’re starting a job where it feels like there are a lot of things to remember, consider writing down what you’re learning. This will require setting aside a little time for reflection and thinking about the tasks that you’re doing. Feel free to ask questions about what is most important for you to remember and focus on cementing that knowledge.

5. Bond from the beginning

Sometimes when you first start a job and have to introduce yourself to a lot of different people it can be easy to do much of the talking. This time, try asking your new coworkers about themselves. Find a balance for sharing information about yourself and help make people feel comfortable around you.

6. Get good eats

There are multiple ways that you can eat well when you’re first starting a job, and one important technique is meal prep. Minimize the time it takes to prepare a meal while still getting a balanced selection of food. You’ll have the energy you need to succeed. A good diet is especially necessary for those in addiction recovery.

If you eat healthy, get enough sleep and try to bond with your coworkers, you can build a healthy foundation that will make the adjustment period easier. Write things down so you remember them more easily, and do what you can to minimize stress through exercise and taking control of your commute. You spend a lot of time at your job and making it a healthy environment will make your life more satisfying.

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