How to Overcome the Personal & Emotional Toll of a Layoff
If you're anything like me then after a layoff the first thing you want to do is get back into a job as soon as possible. But while it may be tempting to jump right back into your old routine and start filling out applications again, it's important to take time for yourself after a layoff. Here are six ways that we can help keep our mental health stable during this difficult period:
1. Don't beat yourself up, take time to grieve.
If you have been laid off, it's going to be hard. The situation is stressful and confusing. You may feel like like the situation is dire or impossible and that job searching will takes months.
The good news? You can still handle this setback with grace, even if everything about it feels overwhelming at first. Allowing yourself some time for reflection may help ease some of those feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. The more time spent thinking about what just happened (and why), the less likely it is that negative thoughts will creep into your mind as well: "I'm going crazy!" Or worse yet: "Why did I let myself get so stupid?"
2. Stay connected with your peers and mentors in the industry.
When you're feeling down, it can be tempting to isolate yourself. But this is a bad idea—Your peers and mentors in the industry are here to support you. Reach out! Ask for help, advice and references. Don't be afraid to seek out connections with people who have been through similar experiences before—they might just have some wisdom on how to move forward that you need right now.
There's no shame in being laid off; everyone has experienced some kind of job loss or change at some point in their career (or lives). It's always helpful when we can learn from others' mistakes so we don't make them again ourselves later on down the road when things get tough again...
3. Stay active and get outside every day.
Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and depression, so it's important to make time for it. You may feel like you're out of shape or don't have the energy, but taking an afternoon walk or running around the block will give your body and mind a much-needed boost.
If exercise isn't an option in your current situation (or if you're just too busy), that's okay! The important thing is that no matter what, try not to sit still for too long. Getting out of bed or even doing yoga in bed whatever you can manage—your brain needs fresh air from the inside out!
4. Try something new!
This can be a great time for a career shift, or even just to pick up a new hobby. Maybe it's time for you to try volunteering at your local animal shelter or homeless shelter—you'll make some amazing friends and be able to see what it's like on the inside!
If you’re feeling inspired to take the leap and make a change, but don’t know where to start, look no further than your local library! The staff there will be more than happy to help you find books on whatever topics interest you—they might even have some great suggestions of their own.
5. Keep your resume ready to go, but don't reach out right away.
This is a great time to learn new skills and build contacts, but don't start sending out resumes right away—give yourself time whether before you're ready for that step. You'll also want to take a deep breath and consider how long it will take you until you feel like yourself again after losing your job (and how much time is appropriate). This can vary from person-to-person; some people may be able to return in just two weeks while others might need six months or more before they're ready for the next step on their career path again. Obviously, this can be pretty dependent on your circumstances and the amount of severance; there is no right answer here.
6. Avoid stressors and set boundaries on your downtime.
One of the biggest mistakes people make during a layoff is taking on too much. That can mean working more hours, taking on additional responsibilities and/or getting involved in way too many projects at once. It may seem like this would help you get back on track quickly, but it's actually what makes things worse in the long run.
When you're feeling overwhelmed by all that needs to get done and don't know where to start (or even where to find time), it's easy for your stress levels to rise exponentially—and if this happens repeatedly over time, then those spikes will become normalized leading to burnout.
Conclusion
I hope these tips are helpful for those of you who are going through layoffs. Remember, it's important to take care of yourself and your mental health so that you can bounce back quickly after a layoff. If this has happened to you or someone in your family recently, we encourage you to seek support from friends, family members or professionals who specialize in helping people cope with unemployment.
cover image generated by DALL-E 2 and published here.
