?? Tips on Coping with Depression & Anxiety caused by Job Loss & Unemployment ?? ??

Whether you’ve been laid off, downsized, forced to take early retirement, or seen contract work dry up, losing your employment is one of life’s most stressful experiences. Aside from the obvious financial anguish it can cause, the stress of losing a job can also?take a heavy toll on your mood, relationships, and overall mental and emotional health.

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Here are 9 essential tips to consider:

?? Take a moment to absorb the news:?

It's natural to feel shaken and upset. Allow yourself time to process the situation and acknowledge your emotions before taking action.

?? Assess your financial standing:?

Sit down with your spouse/partner and evaluate your financial situation. Take stock of loans, EMIs, and your inflow of funds. Determine how much liquid savings you have and calculate your runway—knowing how long you can manage without income can alleviate some pressure.

?? Compile a list of contacts:?

Create an Excel sheet with the names and details of colleagues, bosses, and professional acquaintances who can provide referrals or job leads. Treat it as you would a sales prospect list—networking is crucial during this period.

?? Avoid impulsive decisions:?

While the urgency to find a new job may be overwhelming, it's essential not to jump at the first opportunity that comes your way. Exercise patience and wait for the right opportunity that aligns with your goals and aspirations.

?? Evaluate business ideas:?

Use this transitional period to work on that business idea ?you've always wanted to pursue. Evaluate its feasibility and potential, and consider whether entrepreneurship is a path you'd like to explore further.

?? Freelancing or consulting:?

While searching for a job, consider freelancing or offering consulting services to generate income in the meantime. Leverage your skills and expertise to provide value to clients and keep the cash flow steady.

?? Explore upskilling & enhancing your knowledge:?

Take advantage of the downtime to invest in self-improvement. Identify areas for professional development, enroll in online courses,?attend webinars, or acquire certifications to bolster your skill set.

?? Maintain a routine:?

Establish a daily routine ?that includes job searching, networking, skill-building, and self-care activities. Structure and consistency can help maintain focus and motivation during this challenging period.

?? Seek guidance:?

Don't hesitate to seek professional career counseling or guidance from experts in your field. They can offer insights, strategies, and support to navigate the job market effectively.

Remember, losing a job can be disheartening,?but with the right mindset, resilience, and proactive approach , you can transform this setback into an opportunity for personal and professional growth.?

Depending on the circumstances of your unemployment, ?you may feel betrayed by your employer, powerless over the direction of your life, or blame yourself for some perceived shortcoming or mistake. The stress and worry can feel overwhelming. But no matter how bleak things seem right now, there is hope. With time and the right coping techniques, you can come to terms with these setbacks, ease your stress and anxiety, and move on with your working life.

If you’ve lost your job due to economic uncertainty…

Many people around the world have lost their jobs ?or sources of income as a result of economic uncertainty, the global pandemic, or other reasons beyond their control. While you shouldn’t feel any blame for your situation, that may be of little comfort when you’re stressed about paying bills and putting food on the table.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by uncertainty about how the economy will recover or when you’ll be able to find work. It’s important to know that you’re not alone; many of us are facing the same insecurities at this time.

Allow yourself to grieve

Grief is a natural response to loss, ?and that includes the loss of a job. As well as the loss of income, being out of work also comes with other major losses, some of which may be just as difficult to face:

• A feeling of control over your life.
• Your professional identity.
• Your self-esteem and self-confidence.
• A daily routine.
• Purposeful activity.
• Friendships and a work-based social network.
• You and your family’s sense of security.

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Facing your feelings

While everyone grieves differently,?there are healthy and unhealthy ?ways to mourn the loss of your job. It can be easy to turn to habits such as drinking too much or bingeing on junk food for comfort. But these will only provide fleeting relief and in the long-term will make you feel even worse. Acknowledging your feelings and challenging your negative thoughts, on the other hand, will help you deal with the loss and move on.

• Give yourself time to adjust.?Grieving the loss of your job and adjusting to unemployment can take time. Go easy on yourself and don’t attempt to bottle up your feelings. If you allow yourself to feel what you feel, even the most unpleasant, negative feelings will pass.
• Write about your feelings. ?Express everything you feel about being laid off or unemployed, including things you wish you had (or hadn’t) said to your former boss. This is especially cathartic if your termination was handled in an insensitive way.
• Accept reality.?While it’s important to acknowledge how difficult job loss and unemployment can be , it’s equally important to avoid wallowing. Rather than dwelling on your job loss—the unfairness, how poorly it was handled, the ways you could have prevented it, or how much better life would be if it hadn’t happened—try to accept the situation. The sooner you do so, the sooner you can get on with the next phase in your life.

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• Avoid beating yourself up.?It’s easy to start criticizing or blaming yourself when you’re unemployed. But it’s important to avoid putting yourself down. You’ll need your self-confidence to remain intact as you’re looking for a new job. Challenge every negative thought that goes through your head. If you start to think, “I’m a loser,” write down evidence to the contrary:?“I lost my job ?because of the lockdown, not because I was bad at my job.”
• Think of your job loss as a temporary setback.?Most successful people have experienced major setbacks in their careers but have turned things around by picking themselves up, learning from the experience, and trying again. You can do the same.
• Look for any silver lining.?The feelings generated by losing a job are easier to accept if you can find the lesson in your loss. That can be very difficult at such a low point in your life,?but ask yourself if there’s anything you can learn from this experience. ?Maybe your unemployment has given you a chance to reflect on what you want out of life and?rethink your career priorities.

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Stay positive, keep moving forward, and trust that new doors will open along the way. ?? ??