Managing the Stress of Unemployment

Let's face it ... being unemployed is one of the most stressful situations you'll ever face. Here's what you need to know: If you do nothing, and pretend you're not stressed, your stress will grow. If this goes on long enough, it may result in physical illness, anger, depression, or a chronic chip on your shoulder that will communicate itself to interviewers.

So what can you do to relieve or combat your stress?

• Make choices based on your values, not based on fear.


• Be proactive, not reactive.


• Demonstrate assertiveness rather than passivity or aggressiveness.


• Learn to pace yourself.


• Relabel events and situations to feel less threatened by them.


• Do something you enjoy daily.


• Learn to play.


• Express your creativity.


• Learn something new.


• Minimize your negative self-talk. Substitute affirmations for your usual negative thoughts.


• Accept yourself just as you are. Don't expect perfection!


• Cultivate positive connections, relationships, and friendships.


• Eat balanced meals.


• Minimize your intake of salt, sugar, fat, caffeine, and alcohol.


• Exercise regularly and safely.


• Make sure you get enough sleep.


• Take advantage of your unemployment to update all your health exams.