6 Tips for A Better Mental Health If You’re Currently Unemployed
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your helplessness? Anger at your unproductiveness? Anxiety about the COVID-19? Do you feel like your life is spinning out of control? Don’t despair, take heart with these 6 wellness tips to get you back on your feet, one step at a time!
As we continue into our extended Circuit Breaker, here is a timely reminder to safeguard yourself and your loved ones not just through social distancing but also taking care of your mental health as we #StayHome.
Acknowledge your feelings, and know that you’re not alone in this
The disruption to jobs and personal lives, and the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation can cause distress and feelings of social isolation. These emotions and feelings are all a natural part of our body’s protective mechanisms and should never be ignored. Have you ever tried to actively forget something, but somehow it keeps surfacing to the top of your mind?
Well, emotions and feelings work the same way, you cannot simply bury it and forget its existence. Instead of ignoring them, acknowledge your fears by taking time to get in-tune with yourself and work through the root cause of your emotions. If it helps, ring up a friend or loved one as a sounding board. Ultimately, know that we are in this together and that you are not alone!
Apply for jobs daily, but don’t let it take up the bulk of your time
Displaced from your job and seeking to start afresh? Or are you in-between jobs and looking for supplementary income? Now is a good time to start applying for jobs. You never know when the economy is due to pick up again or when demand would open up positions in your favour. So, continue to send in your resumes, a couple a day, but never stress about it! Remember to enjoy the little joys in life too!
Establish a daily routine
Focus on what you can control which is planning out your time by making a list of daily tasks. This can be planned before a new week begins on a Sunday night or every morning right before you delve right into the day’s activities. Set realistic tasks with a mix of easily accomplished ones to others that might take more time – this helps you get motivated, through deriving a sense of accomplishment and feeling in control of your life when tasks are ticked off and completed.
Limit the time you spend reading online news
The daily COVID-19 tallies of growing infections by country and news updates present a dire scenario we may not be in the right frame of mind to internalise. Panic and anxiety are normal responses in such situations, but you can prevent unwanted shocks to your system by allocating a certain time in the day to update yourself on the news with a limit of time spent. Take conscious effort in minimising negative news intake and balance it out with feel-good news reports too.
Schedule virtual hangouts with your friends
We are social creatures and we all crave interaction and intimacy. Stay connected with friends and loved ones through video calls and virtual hangouts. Loneliness can often creep in unnoticed, so take intentional steps in building up the relationships around you. For group hangouts, try these virtual team bonding activities to get the ball rolling.
Enjoy a workout at home
Staying home got you feeling restless and lethargic? Time to get those legs moving and engage in home-based workouts! Exercise keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy, and also has a significant benefit towards improving your mental health. No idea where to start? A plethora of resources can be found on the web, from aerobic and cardio exercises to relaxing and calming yoga, and more! Some workouts do not even require any special equipment or much space at all. Tag your friends to carry on the workout movement, or join each other online through group video calls!
Caring for your mental health during this period is even more crucial than before. Do not be afraid to ask for help or reach out. While we may be physically isolated, do not let it hinder your social needs – friends, loved ones and free counselling sessions are just a call/message/email away.
JobStreet has launched a COVID-19 Jobs and Resource Hub to offer guidance to both businesses and individuals through this crucial time.
By connecting candidates with over 48,000 employers in Singapore, Jobstreet puts into action its strong conviction: that #TogetherAhead, we rise above our challenges.
