Losing your job can be devastating to both your financial stability and your emotional stability. It’s easy to fall into depression when the stress of not working weighs down on you. However, you cannot let that stress stop you from re-entering the workforce and providing a livable income for you and your family. In this depression counseling guide, we will explain how to rebound after job loss so you can overcome this difficult time.
File For Unemployment As Quickly As Possible
If you qualify for unemployment benefits, file for them as soon as you can. It will take some time for your application to get approved and for your money to start coming in, so you want to get the process going right away. You may not have the energy to file for unemployment at this time, but waiting will only worsen your depression. It is much better to get some sort of income flowing for now than to fall into heavy debt later on.
As part of your agreement to receive unemployment benefits, you will need to apply for a minimum number of jobs per month. This number varies by state, so you will need to find out what it is in your area. Start doing this even if you are not receiving benefits yet because you will need to keep track of your job applications. When your benefits are ready to begin, you will be equally prepared to receive them.
Don’t Dwell Too Much On The Past
It’s easy to get caught up on regrets – “I should have done this. I could have done that.” While there is nothing wrong with self-reflection, it’s important not to lose sight of the future. Try not to get too stuck on the past because doing so will not help you move forward. Ideally, you should work on your self-reflection with a depression counselor in Michigan so they can help you reverse negative thought patterns. Get a new perspective on your life and your upcoming opportunities so you can bounce back.
Don’t Let Your Physical Health Decline
Your physical health and mental health are codependent. You’ll probably be tempted to sit on the couch all day and eat junk food, and that’s fine for a day or two. If you stay that way for an extended period of time though, you will start to gain weight and have something new to stress out about. More stress leads to more bad diet choices, and you can see how the cycle goes from there.
Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine while you are out of work, and keep your sleep schedule consistent. This will give your mind plenty of time to rest so you can feel energized and ready to tackle the next day.
Create A Strong, Positive Support System
Having positive energy around you will encourage you to get back on your feet. Use your break from work as a chance to bond with family and friends. If your social group consists mostly of former co-workers, you may want to distance yourself from them for now. Being around them may remind you of your old job and worsen your depression symptoms. Of course, your depression counselor will be there to help you through this transition and give you the strong support system you need right now.
Take A Break, But Not Too Long
You don’t have to jump into the workforce immediately. As long as your finances are in order, you can take a week or two off to clear your head. You will need to get back to work soon after that, but use this personal time to get some much-needed rest. You can start your new job with a sound mindset.
Create A Job Search Plan
You may think that you have endless free time now, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Just because you’re not working doesn’t mean you don’t have work to do. Create a job search plan that will keep you on a consistent schedule. You may start with a revamp of your resume, followed by a scheduled timeframe for online and in-person job searches. Stay motivated throughout the process, and you will have a new job soon enough.