Staying at home all day while others go off to work may sound like the good life but, it is not. It is further from the truth, especially when you have no income.
As an unemployed person, you are constantly under pressure to get off your back side and do something. Either to be out there pounding the streets looking for whom to call or be making those calls, writing applications and following up leads. All this is very challenging, and can take a toll on your mental health.
Here is how you can manage your mental health as a job seeker
Make time for yourself
More time? Yes, because you are the one that has to take care of you. Often times because you are the one who has no regular work people around you tend to make you do all sorts of things for them because they assume that you are doing nothing. So, you get given a lot of errands to do. Understandably, if you are that kind of person that likes to help. You will do them. However, it is easy to get caught up in all this errand work and neglect your own needs.
It is important to take time for yourself, even if it is only a few minutes a day. So, take some time to do things you enjoy outside the home, the errands and the job hunting. If you like movies, go for a movie, or download one and watch it, uninterrupted. If you like soccer, join a soccer club. Go and watch soccer. Or just spend time with friends and family, without being the one to get up and do or fetch stuff.
Managing your mental health also means
Take breaks from Hunting
You do not have to be constantly job hunting. Do not buy every newspaper, search every job market website and call everybody you think might help every minute of every day. The need to be constantly on the hunt can lead to mental health problems. And also to you losing friendships and being blocked by people.
The saying, it takes time does not mean you should spend all your time searching. It means it takes time for things to happen. Give the process time. The person you told the day before, has not forgotten. They may have a schedule they follow, or may also be waiting on someone else to get back to them. Or not. Still be patient.
Get off the search mode for a few days to relax and not feel so desperate. It is important to take these breaks otherwise, you risk mental illness.
To look after yourself also means
Look after your Health
Eat when you should and do not skip meals or spend time eating either. Make sure you’re eating the correct amounts of food and the correct types of food. The wrong nutrition can be also very damaging to your mental health.
Exercise as often as possible. It is easy to spend the day on the phone, in front of a computer screen or the TV screen. And only get up to eat or got to the toilet.
Talk to someone if you are feeling very low. It can be the people you live with, a neighbor or someone at the place where you worship. And if you are clearly struggling with your mental health, please do not hesitate to seek professional help. There is no shame in seeking help from a therapist or counselor.
Therapy can help you manage your mental health and can also help guide you on your job seeking path. Talking with a friend, a mentor, a parent or a professional can help you clarify and see some of who you are, what you want and the things you would like to achieve. This clarity can help you decide which jobs you want to apply for and which jobs you think are a waste of your efforts.
Always remember it helps to have someone outside your daily life to discuss your life. You are not alone in this journey.
