Top Coping & Resilience Tips when Unemployed

April 21^st, 2017

Unemployment & its impact 

As we discussed in our previous blog ‘Our Top Tips for Managing Stress in the Workplace’ given that a lot of us spend such a large proportion of our time at work it’s no wonder that it can have such a significant impact on our mood. Equally, if you are not working the impact on your mood and state of mind can be just as significant if not more so. Yet many people do not realise the extent to which unemployment affects their mood and psychological wellbeing.

Unemployment can lead to:

• Reduced activity
• Reduced social interaction
• Reduction in responsibility
• Feeling a lack of purpose
• Low self-esteem

All these factors combined can result in many people who are unemployed experiencing low mood and feelings of inadequacy. Additional practical concerns, such as concerns about finances, can be an added source of stress and can lead to experiencing symptoms of anxiety. 

Tips for coping and managing your mood when unemployed

You can try some strategies to help stave off the potential adverse effects unemployment can have which we have highlighted in the bullet points below. Physical exercise for example can really help to lift your mood as it is a natural producer of endorphins also known as ‘happy hormones’.

Steps such as:  

1. Maintaining a routine e.g. getting up and going to bed at same time every day
2. Updating CV & sending regular job applications
3. Keeping or taking up hobbies and/or social activities
4. Doing regular physical exercise
5. Volunteering

Furthermore, if you do find yourself unemployed it can be a good time for you to assess your current career path and see if you are really happy with the direction it is going. If you decide you are looking for a change you could use your free time as an opportunity to look at different areas of interest by volunteering or taking up a part-time course for example.

Nonetheless, if you find your mood is low or you are feeling regularly on edge and anxious for a prolonged period of time you should seek professional advice from your local Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service or your GP as to how best to treat it. Some of the treatment options include online or face-to-face Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Our online CBT programme Space from Depression and Anxiety is one of the treatments offered within IAPT services across England. If you would like to find out more drop us an email. 

Author: Rosemary Byrne, Digital Marketing Executive, SilverCloud Health