Coping Skills for Anxious Job Seekers

Globally, there are over 2,000 helplines and hotlines, and the support they offer varies across topics and populations. What unites them is their shared aim to support people who are experiencing mental health distress or emotional pain. Helplines are there to assist you in a time of emotional pain, and to support those who may be noticing https://remotemode.net/blog/job-search-depression-exists-and-it-has-to-be-addressed/ warning signs of an emotional crisis in those they care about. You might never consider job searching fun, but at least you might be able to turn it into a positive experience rather than a difficult one. Maintaining healthy habits such as eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising, and spending time with friends and family.

Chances are, when you give them a call or a quick text, they would love to hear from you. Strengthening social connections is a good way to combat loneliness and establish your place within your social circles. You may even want to consider online support groups to connect you with people who relate to your situation.

Stick to a regular routine

Or it could even be things you need to get done around the house. Maybe you think it’s just temporary and will go away if you find a job — and if your depressive symptoms are situational, it may. It’s important to remember that there are people in your life that care about you and want to be there when times are tough.

If you’re having a hard time prioritizing your health during your job search, go one step further and ask a loved one to act as your accountability partner, Mr. Witters suggested. If you’re finding it hard to socialize, start small, Dr. Norris said. Online communities and support groups are good places to start, as are clubs and networking events in your area. A key tip for how to deal with job depression is to maintain perspective.

Laid Off vs. Fired: What Are the Differences and How Do They Affect Your Job Search?

Taking a few days off from an intensive project like a job search has been shown to alleviate frustration, change perspective, and spark novelty. Now, recruiters are contacting you and you’re getting industry interviews. This will keep you focused on specific tasks, which will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and defeated. It will help you stay organized in today’s very competitive job markets. Being meticulous and strategic in your job search will help you to quickly regroup after a rejection.

Can being jobless cause depression?

When a person loses their job or does not have a job, they can experience a void that becomes difficult to fill. Without employment, people may fall into problematic thinking and behavior patterns that result in negative mental health effects, including depression.

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. 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. Our jobs are often more than just the way we make a living.

Seek professional help

Mental illness is one of the top causes of worker disability in the U.S., with 62% of missed workdays attributed to mental health conditions. Of people working with mental illness, 66% have been diagnosed with depression. We hope you https://remotemode.net/ have found this article valuable if you work with clients who have experienced job loss, recognize their journey, and wish to help them further. Don’t forget to download our three Stress & Burnout Prevention Exercises (PDF) for free.

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. Studies have shown that extended unemployment and underemployment can have a longstanding impact on a job seeker’s physical and mental health. And during a triple health, economic and racial justice crisis in America, the stress of being without a job and steady income can feel even more staggering. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, in April 2020, the employment rate was a whopping 14.7%. So it’s not a great leap to be concerned about the mental health toll the pandemic and unemployment rates are taking on us all.

Some helplines offer support for specific problems like suicide, depression, anxiety, domestic violence and sexual assault. Others help with certain demographics, such as veterans, youth or the LGBTQ+ community. Many helplines offer support for all kinds of mental and behavioral health problems – this means you can talk to them about anything that is on your mind. A helpline is a free, confidential counseling service available to anyone experiencing difficulties in their mental health, or worried about the mental health of someone they know. They are sometimes known as crisis lines or hotlines, and offer support over the phone, text message or chat.

  • Avoid putting yourself down when you’ve lost your job, especially if you already struggle with anxiety.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this even more, with many people losing their jobs and struggling mentally as a result.
  • There are employers out there that pride themselves on fostering a collaborative, supportive workplace where employees like you can thrive.
  • Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors; they are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices.
  • Trimming your waistline and improving your physique may also give your self-confidence a boost.

Social media hasn’t helped matters, when you have multiple apps to constantly compare your personal feats and career achievements to others. When you’re depressed, everything — from the most basic activity like getting out of bed to more arduous tasks like paying bills on time — can feel impossibly challenging. Add sudden unemployment, recently graduating from college, or undergoing a major career transition to the mix, and every day can feel like summiting Mount Everest. While searching for a new job can present challenges, remember that you can succeed. If you’re prepared, organized, patient, and positive, you may even find joy in your journey toward a position that will be an excellent fit for you and your career aspirations. So don’t forget to stop and smell the roses once in a while and reward yourself for all the hard work you’ve already put in.

It is pertinent for individuals to be provided with unemployment counseling during such a vulnerable time in their life. They need guidance to present themselves in an interview and secure employment, allowing them to feel included and valuable once again. This resilience-promoting intervention allows the client to replace fixed mindset thinking with growth mindset thinking.