How to handle Job Loss and Unemployment Stress
Job loss is becoming a common phenomenon in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, while unemployed has always been a haunting ghost even in the past. Consequently, the two unappealing situations continue to cause stress and anxiety for many people. Unfortunately, stress related to such is responsible for the increase in suicides all across the globe.
However, no one has to suffer the unbearable weight of job loss and unemployment stress. There are recommended drills that come in handy to salvage such a situation and possibly alleviate the effect of stress. These drills are critical steps towards conquering the stress and finding a way to move on.
You can handle the stress of job loss or unemployment through the following:
- Accept that it is Difficult
The initial stage of stress management is acceptance. You have to face reality and accept the difficulty of being unemployed or having lost a job. However, you should do so while harboring some kindness and warmth towards yourself. Commune internally and justify any need to feel sad, angry, confused, or anxious. It is humanly to feel such.
Nevertheless, acknowledge the fact that you cannot get stuck in the current misery and that there is a need to move on as soon as possible. It is not healthy to be held up in such a stressful moment.
- Get into Terms with Reality
Sometimes it is only right to accept that life will not always be unfair and that injustices can be the order of the day even when not deserved. Get into terms with unfairness, losses, disappointments, getting old, and like in this case, job loss or unemployment.
You may get so comfortable in your job that you forget that tides change, and companies collapse. It is only safe to live with the fact that things can get messed up some times so that when they do, you can fall in line with reality. This way, it is easier to move on.
- Normalize the Problem
Acknowledging that you are not alone and that it can happen to others elsewhere can be a consolation. When you access media outlets, it is hard not to come by cases of workers getting laid off and others getting fired. Anybody can be on the receiving end, and it is not a curse.
Take the job loss or your current unemployment status as a recession and hope it will end soon. This can work miracles to alleviate stress, but when you are in recess, explore future prospective opportunities.
- Adopt a Good Daily Plan of Action
If you are unemployed or you just lost your job, staying indoors and stressing about it all day will not help. It can only lead to adverse actions such as overdrinking or even suicide. It is imperative to avoid such.
Accept that your new job is looking for a new job and adopt a good daily plan to go about it. You can explore job ads or contact individuals with potential leads. There will a lot of disappointments but do not stop.
- Have Some Fun
Unemployment or job loss should not mean stress or being unhappy all day. Having some fun is not only healthy for your mind but will also give you the positive energy to keep moving on and seeking solutions. Engage in your hobbies, or even get new ones; read a book, watch a movie, take an interesting course or travel. Consider your current state a sabbatical from work and maximize on fun.
Remember, once back up, you might never get another chance to have such much fun. Take the loss positively.
- Don’t Be Hard on Yourself
Self-criticism is a significant cause of stress in case of job loss or unemployment. You are prompted by the situation to doubt your worth, and it would be dangerous to give in. Do not consider yourself a loser whatsoever.
Note down any negative perspectives of yourself and shoot them with reality. You have a good education, you had a job, you have a beautiful family, and you received impressive feedbacks at work. Such will propel you out of the misery of self-pitying and self-criticism.
- Avoid Rumination
Brooding and negative thoughts will only cause stress. The why me, how did it happen, or I am not good enough, among other negative thoughts will do you no good. These are a recipe for stress.
Acknowledge that unemployment is a common phenomenon in free-market economies, and anyone can be a victim. Instead of ruminating and brooding, consider engaging in productive actions. Take a course, socialize, exercise, or have fun.
- Join a Community
It is neither safe nor healthy to self-isolate after losing a job. Self-isolation provides the perfect conditions for stressful thoughts that are outrightly unhealthy. The only right thing to do is to involve yourself in community endeavors. Join a local church, synagogue, mosque, or online communities such as Linkedin and Facebook.
You could also join environmental groups, professional organizations, or political groups. This is how to get meaning out of life and alleviate the stress of losing a job. Remember, no man is an island, and others can help us overcome negative issues.
- Spend Time with your Family
Family is the secret ingredient o overcoming unemployment of job loss stress. Your family will encourage you and support you during the hard times while challenging you to press on. Even better, you have the opportunity to spend some quality family fun times with your kids.
- Exercise or Engage in Sporting Activities
Exercising daily or partaking in any sporting activity will not only help to boost your moods but will also relieve stress and enable you to sleep well. Let the current situation be a chance to keep your body fit and healthy. This will give you more clarity of mind in deciding on your next course of action.
Conclusion
Job loss and unemployment is a common phenomenon in the modern economic world and an unappealing aspect of the corporate world that the world has to live with. Furthermore, anybody can be on the receiving end of the blow. Stress is always a major result of such, but knowing to handle it comes in handy to help you move on.