Being out of work can lead to depression and negative feelings. Here are some tips for keeping an upbeat mood.
It can be tough to keep your spirits up when you’ve lost a job, particularly when there are so many qualified people out of work right now. Even though you may not have much cash to spare, the bills keep on coming, and you’re worried about how you can afford to maintain your lifestyle. When you’re under such stress, it can be difficult to avoid taking it out on others—so here are some suggestions on how to keep a smile on your face.
Trade expensive activities for cheap or free fun. Sure, a dinner out may be tasty, but the triple-digit bill at the end of the evening is much more difficult to stomach. Focus on creating upscale cuisine at home—even using good quality ingredients, you’ll save a ton over a restaurant meal. (If you’re a cooking amateur, this book is a godsend.) Instead of a night at the movies, make up your own popcorn and pop in a Netflix disc. Invite your friends to skip the bar for an evening of cocktails at your own home. For more ideas, check out these 31 simple (and free) family pleasures.
Make an effort to connect with others in the same boat. If you’re out of work, it’s easy to feel isolated and get depressed. Keep your spirits up by making face-to-face connections with people in similar situations in your local area. Twitter is a great way to initiate contact with people in your city, and you can also attend local meetings and networking groups.
Get some exercise outside. When you don’t have anywhere to be, it’s easy to spend a whole day without showering or even getting out of your PJs. This can really mess with your mental state. Be sure to spend some time outside every day, preferably doing exercise like running, walking, or bike riding. Recent studies have found that exercise can be as effective as medicine in treating depression.
Too much time on your hands? Volunteer. If you’re out of work, you can only spend so many hours a day job-searching. Don’t just turn on the TV—instead, find a cause you care about and put your professional skills to work as a volunteer. You’ll find both local and virtual volunteering opportunities listed on sites like Idealist.org. Supporting a cause you’re passionate about is sure to raise your spirits, but, as an added bonus, it can be a powerful resumé-booster and may result in a full-time job.
Learn a new skill. Have you always wanted to learn Italian, but never had the time to try? Many colleges offer low-cost adult enrichment courses—see if there’s anything on offer that sounds intriguing near you. Don’t have the money to spare? No problem: just check your local library for books to help you learn new skills like knitting or gardening.
Start your own business. You don’t need an employer to have a job: create your own. Whether its something related to your former career—say, freelance graphic design or copywriting—or something you’ve been doing as a hobby, such as making scarves or soaps, you can make money independently. See our list of legitimate work-from-home options for some ideas. If things go well, you could make more money on your own than you ever did working for someone else!