Here’s what happens in the brain when we’re laid off

Not all that dissimilar to a swift sucker punch to the gut, an unexpected excommunication from a long-time job can leave us gasping for air, both figuratively and literally. Indeed, many employees see the writing on the wall weeks or perhaps even months before they’re officially handed a pink slip, but others can’t help but feel completely blindsided by their dismissal.

Even worse, layoffs have become an unsettlingly common part of working life in the USA. Recent studies tell us just under half of working Americans (40%) have been laid off at least once in their careers and another 48% habitually wrestle with “layoff anxiety,” or the persistent nagging worry that an unexpected call into the boss’ office could come at any given moment.

Picking oneself up in the aftermath of a firing or layoff is often harder than many expect. Such an event will almost certainly result in feelings of psychological loss, known to occur whenever we lose something important in our lives. While it may sound dramatic to equate the loss of a job with the end of a long-term relationship or the loss of a home, just to name a few examples, when it comes to a scientific understanding of how our brains cope with loss, it isn’t such a far leap. All of the aforementioned, awful events mentioned above invariably result in the loss of a sense of control over one’s own life – and so does losing a job, especially a position that one has held for years if not decades.

It’s incredibly common to experience higher anxiety and stress levels after being laid off, not to mention feelings we’d all like to avoid as much as possible like fear, sadness, and frustration. And, of course, what happens in the mind undoubtedly impacts the body. The recently unemployed routinely report disrupted sleep patterns, excessive fatigue, and upset stomachs. All of those physical symptoms can be brought on by stress. It’s exhausting worrying 24/7. 

How the brain reacts to loss on a neurological level

So, while we can all understand how it feels to lose a job, the actual molecular changes that take place in the mind in response to loss have largely gone overlooked. On that note, a recent study conducted at the University of Cincinnati investigated those very topics, highlighting a specific brain region that appears to play a key role in psychological responses to loss.

Published in the scientific journal Molecular Psychiatry, the study was conducted by providing a group of lab rats with a comfortable home equipped with numerous toys, shelters, exercise opportunities, and social interactions with other rodents. Then, a portion of the rats were removed from the nice environment for a full month, with researchers tracking changes in their brain activity all along the way.

This approach led to the discovery that the support system appears to become “overactive” within brain regions known to play a role in stress regulation and behavioral adaptation in response to negative change. Researchers explain this overactivity appears to backfire in a big way. Instead of neurons displaying adaptability in the face of change (or loss), they become insulated. Consequently, the neurons can’t promote the same adaptive behaviors adults display during normal times.

In simpler terms, when we experience a great loss that throws our sense of control over our lives out of whack, it can overwhelm key areas of the mind that normally would do a much better job of helping us cope with the unexpected change.

There’s more than one way to feel better

While the scientific findings explained above are no doubt noteworthy and fascinating, by no means take them to suggest feeling better, happier, and more in control after a layoff is impossible. Doing so might just take a bit more effort than usual. Here are a few tips to stay positive and productive:

• Try to be aware of your inner thoughts: The messages and stories we tell ourselves are ultimately what matter most. Our minds are literal thought machines that never turn off, even while we sleep, so while it’s not always easy to keep tabs on where your mind wanders at all times, do your best to catch and correct any negative thought patterns. It’s easy to blame yourself in the aftermath of a layoff, and perhaps even easier to fall down a dark hole of rumination, regret, and worry. Identifying and stopping such tendencies early can go a long way toward cultivating a more positive mental attitude. 

• Make a list: Sometimes the simplest activities provide the most relief. It may feel like you’re back in high school for a moment, but just taking a deep breath, sitting down, and taking the time to write down a list of your goals moving forward can be a great way of instantly re-taking some control over your life. Making a list is an easy way to get the ball rolling on accomplishing your long-term goals. Alternatively, you may want to look to the past and make a list of all your prior accomplishments and proudest moments. This can help remind you that your life and career are far from defined by just one job or layoff.

• Set aside some time to unwind: Sometimes we all need a solid cry or evening spent curled up on the couch with a good book or Netflix binge. There’s no use in putting the pedal to the career metal 24/7 following a firing. Allot yourself a week or two to decompress and take stock of the situation before devoting your entire schedule to finding a new gig. Your mind and body will thank you for the break, and you’ll be able to jump back into your career with a refreshed sense of self.

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