A new job is often accompanied by a mix of emotions that are difficult to categorize. The excitement about new opportunities and challenges may be inspiring enough to motivate, but the anxiety of entering an unfamiliar work environment can be overwhelming. This phenomenon, called new job anxiety is quite common and may affect your performance and well-being. Fortunately, novel technologies like red light therapy are emerging as promising allies in overcoming this type of anxiety, especially in those critical first days.

Before moving on to solutions, there is a need to understand what new job anxiety is and why so many people go through it. New job anxiety refers to those feelings of tension and fear one experiences when reporting to a new position. Factors that could contribute to the anxiety include:

• Unfamiliar Environment: You would enter a new world with different dynamics, cultural behaviors, and expectations.

• Performance Pressure: The compulsion to prove yourself results in high pressure from the beginning to perform optimally.

• Fear of Judgment: The apprehension of how they will treat you increases anxiety, and it is hard to allow yourself to be an individual.

•  Change: Moving into a new role changes all your routines, causing some uncertainty in your established routine.

Some anxiety is good because it pushes you to get ready and do better. However, too much anxiety makes it hard for you to work well and enjoy what you do. Therefore, learning how to handle and use anxiety can help your experience and performance.

Getting enough rest is a way of controlling anxiety. Rest will enable you to tackle challenges better with clarity in your mind. Nevertheless, starting work might be tricky since it can cause sleeping problems that will give you tiredness and anxiety. Some tips on sleeping well for dealing with the anxiety caused by a new job are provided below:

1. Establish a Bedtime Routine:  A gentle evening routine makes the body realize it is time to relax. It can be reading, mindfulness practice, or even a hot bath.

2. Limit Screen Time Before Bed:  Blue light emitted from devices tends to interfere with melatonin secretion in the body. One is advised to withdraw devices at least an hour before sleeping.

3. Create a Comfortable Sleep Environment:  Your bedroom should be sleep-inducing. This means having a comfortable mattress, blackout curtains, and a cool room temperature.

4. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques:  Add one or more of the following to your pre-sleep routine: deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery. All these activities help people relax and calm a racing mind.

5. Limit Caffeine and Alcohol Intake:  It is not easy to sleep well if you consume such beverages close to bedtime. Drink herbal teas or water in the hours before bed.

Sleeping better will help you manage stress much better during the first days of your new job.

Red light therapy might be just what you need to boost your toolkit against new job anxiety. This relatively new form of therapy is becoming popular, with benefits like the alleviation of anxiety, better sleep, and a healthy well-being profile.

Red light therapy is based on the principle of low-level wavelengths of red light stimulating cellular processes. The treatment was first developed for wound healing and skin rejuvenation; however, researchers have extended its application to include mental health and its role in reducing anxiety and sleep disorders. Red light therapy can be conveniently carried out at home using LED devices.

The scientific basis of red light treatment is the mitochondria, our cells' powerhouse. Red light penetrates through the skin and increases mitochondrial activity, which might result in greater energy production. When applied correctly, red light treatment can:

• Promote Melatonin Production:  Melatonin is the hormone that helps regulate sleep. The activity of mitochondria improved by red light therapy may contribute to better production of melatonin and, therefore, sleep quality.

• Reduce Cortisol Levels:  This is often known as the stress hormone, but it can drastically affect mood and anxiety levels. Research has pointed out that the therapy with red light may contribute to lowering cortisol levels, thus reducing stress and anxiety.

• Enhance Mood:  Red light therapy activates serotonin, a neurotransmitter that controls mood, bringing about a more positive emotional state that can help fight anxiety.

Integrating red light therapy into your routine during your first week can be highly beneficial in managing new job anxiety. Here are a few key ways it can help:

1. Improving Sleep for Better Performance:  This will enable you to come to work with a clearer head and sharper focus, both of which are essential in terms of rapidly adjusting to your new environment.

2. Reducing Anxiety and Stress Levels:  Regular practice of red light therapy can help reduce your stress levels during high-pressure situations and allow you to respond to challenges with a calm demeanor.

3. Enhancing Overall Well-Being:  A possible increase in sleeping hours, added to decreased concern, might create a higher perception of overall wellness, letting you flourish throughout this potentially stressful change period.

4. Boosting Confidence:  When you're in regular use of red light therapy, it will allow you to gain greater control of your health. As you begin feeling more relaxed and well-rested, this enhances your self-esteem and increases confidence in your adjustment towards a new job.

Consider including red light therapy in your regime with the following tips on doing it right:

• Timing:  Do red light therapy first thing in the morning to enhance your day's productivity or even at night a little before retiring to bed; this flexibility in timing can, again, provide stimulatory effects from its earlier timing and calming effect when done towards the end.

•  Duration:  Sessions last between 10 to 20 minutes. It is vital to follow the guidelines provided with any red light therapy device you choose.

• Consistency:  To obtain the full benefit, consistency is key. A few sessions several times a week will be much more effective than infrequent use.

• Target Areas:  While full-body machines can be useful in a great many ways, focusing on areas such as the face or torso can be particularly effective if you have specific regional concerns related to anxiety or tension.

Even though red light therapy has great potential for the relief of anxiety and enhancement of sleep, any new treatment has to be approached cautiously:

• Consult a Professional:  Before starting red light therapy, a medical health provider should be consulted. As with other grave conditions or complications in your physical health, this is more so.

• Be Mindful of Expectations:  Although red light treatment can be effective, a person may need multiple approaches to controlling their anxiety. The optimal solution may involve a combination of therapies, exercise, and other well-being activities, such as red light treatment.

• Monitor Your Progress:  Pay attention to how you feel while incorporating red light therapy into your routine. Better sleep and lessened anxiety may reinforce the benefits you are receiving, motivating you to continue adding it to your life.

Starting a new job can be both exciting and stressful. Improving sleep quality and tapping into the positive effects of red light therapy for anxiety will prepare you for those initial days in your new role. Equipped with the right tools and techniques, you can flourish in those all-important first days and thus ease your transition into the new role.

As you navigate the complexities of your new career, remember that anxiety is normal. Taking care of your mental health and finding innovative ways to solve problems, like red light therapy, can help pave the road to success and fulfillment in your new career journey. Change, believe in yourself, and get ready for a bright future.