Coping with Stress from Sudden Unemployment
Unemployment is a recent and growing problem that is expected to reach the double digits in 2010. Global economies, which were predicted to contract, are already experiencing labor pains. More and more individuals and families are trying to cope with reduced salaries, lost jobs, and the changes that come with having less money to spend on necessities and mounting financial problems. Stress is one of the expected results of unemployment, but there are some things you can do to prevent stress from negatively affecting the way you live your life, despite the tough economic times.
Stress factors
It is a known fact that the loss of a job is tantamount to losing a regular source of income, and without money, you pretty much cannot do anything. Studies have shown that finances are one of the leading cause of stress. The tighter the money is, the greater level of stress the individual feels. Aside from the need to do major purchases such as a home or a car, retirement, and mounting debt, the loss of a job is one of the prime factors that make finances one of the leading reasons for people to feel anxious and stressed out.
Another reason unemployment is a cause of emotional discomfort and uncertainty is the fact that it robs the person of the time structure that he or she has gotten accustomed to. The lack of job also eliminates the sense of purpose that a job gives. Work is a basic need that provides humans quality time with colleagues and friends, a time outside the routine family life. The loss of a salary and the loss of a place to go to every day can easily lead to a loss of self-confidence and self-esteem.
Keeping yourself busy with job hunting, family bonding, and other useful pursuits
Prevent the intrusion of anxiety-provoking thought by keeping yourself busy. Unemployment is the perfect time to do the things you never had the time for. It also provides you all the time in the world to look for a new job. This jobless period is also a good time to channel your mind to more useful pursuits. Spend a portion of your time exercising, learning a new sport like running, taking up a new hobby, or reading that book you’ve been wanting to read. Putting your mind on doing other things not related to work, such as volunteering or learning a new sport, is a good way to recover from the stress of job hunting. This will prevent you from dwelling on your lost job.
Channeling your energy into more productive activities
You can even use your hobbies to earn supplemental income to tide yourself over this income-less period. Using your baking, cooking, sewing, and ability to create little craft objects and even having a yard sale are all means to earn supplemental income on your spare time.
Interacting with friends, family, and meeting new people
The free time that you now have is a perfect opportunity to be with your family and friends. Studies have shown that expressing your anxieties to family and friends, and even a career counseling coach is an effective way to reduce the symptoms of stress. Aside from being a good source of encouragement and support during this tough time, spending time with family and friends is one way to rekindle and deepen your personal relationships. You can also use this time to meet new people. Networking may just get you in contact with the people who can help you land a new job.
Unemployment is one of the main occurrences in life that produces a great amount of stress. The loss of job easily translates to loss of financial security, loss of sense of purpose, and the loss of time spent with colleagues and friends. Despite this stress that comes with unemployment, you can still find ways to make this period a productive time in your life, a time to look for another job as well as to refocus your energies on other important aspects of your life such as families and hobbies.
Photo Credit : stan
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