Losing your job is a difficult life event. You worry about financial responsibilities and can question your own self-worth. You may feel hopelessness. This affects your motivation for not only seeking out new employment, but simply getting out of bed in the morning. You may begin to lose interest in your favorite activities and hobbies. This is a result of either lack of concentration or simply the inability to care about things you once did.
You may find that isolating yourself from others is easier than facing the perceived judgment or possible questions from loved ones. You may begin to sleep too much or not be able to sleep enough. Even if you’re tired, you may lie awake at night, fretting over not having work. You may find yourself irritable during the day, snapping at family members, even though it’s you that you’re angry with.
Dealing with unemployment involves taking practical steps toward finding a new job. But there’s more than that. You should also address your physical health and emotional wellbeing.
1. Get Support from Others
Your first instinct after losing a job may be to isolate yourself. You may feel shame and embarrassment, even if the reason for being let go had nothing to do with your performance. Out of fear of being judged, you may want to avoid social situations. However, this can lead to loneliness, which only makes you feel worse.
Instead, you should reach out to others. Talk to close family members and friends to discuss your feelings. Sometimes talking about it can make you feel better about the whole experience. You may not feel comfortable talking with family or friends. If so, find a support group online or in person with others who have recently lost a job.
If your feelings are overwhelming, you should seek out professional help. Speak to a counselor or therapist or attend mental health rehab. You will learn to cope with the bad feelings that are associated with job loss.
2. Keep Your Days Structured
You may feel the urge to stay in bed in the morning and stay up late at night after losing a job. This is a bad idea. You should keep your days structured as if you are still working. Get out of bed at your normal alarm time. Take a shower. Get dressed. Then go apply for work. Exercise. Prepare meals rather than getting take out or fast food. Clean up by washing dishes, vacuuming, and picking up after yourself.
Keeping a structured routine will give you the motivation to continue striving on your job hunt. It may even help you transition into a new job, as you will be used to the schedule and sleep patterns.
In addition to maintaining your routine, you should fill your day with something productive. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, visit with residents at a nursing home, find a new hobby, or learn a new language. Finding fulfillment outside of work can help build up your feelings of self-worth.
3. Maintain Self-Care
Taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally, is important during a period of unemployment. Many people fall into a depression and stop self-care altogether. But it is important to stave off feelings of sadness or being overwhelmed with anxiety. Studies show that exercise helps reduce the symptoms of depression. Even if you only take a short walk in the afternoon, you are improving your mood with endorphins.
Encourage yourself to release bad thoughts and fill up on good ones through mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation. Structured activities can help you develop compassion for yourself and release stress related to your job loss.
In addition to staying active, you should eat a balanced diet. Proper nutrition can increase energy levels. Also, make sure you have good sleep hygiene. Go to sleep and get up at the same time each day, even on the weekends. Keep your room dark, quiet, and cool. Shut off electronics and dim lights at least an hour before bed. These tips will help you to get a good night’s sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.
4. Keep Learning
If you aren’t learning, you can become stagnant in your career and your life. If you become unemployed, it’s the perfect time to pick up some new skills. Use Babbel or Duolingo to learn a new language. Take free online courses at universities like Harvard or Stanford. Attend webinars or listen to podcasts related to your field or a new one.
Focusing on your education is a great way to add to your resume and prepare you for reentry into the job force. Many people have gaps in their work history, but filling that time with positive endeavors will impress future hiring managers.
By focusing on learning while unemployed, you can improve your chances with new opportunities. Perhaps a company is looking for a bilingual employee in your field. Or maybe you’ve picked up a new skill related to your field. For instance, someone in social media may learn graphic design while unemployed. This new skill enables them to create images for posts on Instagram and other social media sites.
Coping With Unemployment
While being unemployed is not an ideal situation, you can make the most of the time off. You should find support from family and friends to help you with the emotional aspect of the loss. But you can also empower yourself to reach new levels.
You may have lost your job, but that does not mean you will stay unemployed. Work hard to improve yourself, face your emotions, and find a new job. Before you know it, you’ll be back to the grind and be a better person because of the experience.