Staying Active during Unemployment

‘Inflation’, ‘Recession’ and ‘Economy Crisis’- I guess these are the most common hair-raising words you would hear these days in Newspapers, TV and Radio and the whole scenario is just very alarming globally. And getting a Pink slip can come with no surprise under prevailing circumstances. Trust me, getting unemployed can never be pleasant news, no matter how much you hate waking up daily for work. God forbid, in case you are one of the victims, relax as you are just one of the many. Don’t worry as there are still ways you can remain active and productive in these tough times until you get a new job or situation just gets better.

First of all, don’t let the unemployment run all over your mind. Instead take it as a sabbatical period, where you apparently got some time to rest and get involve in activities you always wanted to do but couldn’t because of hectic work schedules. Plan a small vacation to some exotic places with family, catch up with an old friend whom you haven’t able to see in months, get some favorite movies you always wanted to watch or just get more sleep if you feel you were deprived of it lately.

Sorry, no other option, but you also have to spare enough time for job hunting, networking and using your references for some work. Go through all your past consideration for a job opening which you didn’t need at the time you were employed. Going back to job hunting can be frustrating at times, but then you don’t want to keep voids in your resume for longer times. Don’t hesitate to accept any volunteer job or unpaid internships, because it’s all work experience that would count for your future interviews. Try to contact some temp agency and look for some part-time job. You never know they may like your work and hire you full time. Even if it doesn’t, this would at least keep some time away from your work and keep you active and updated in your field. You have nothing to lose.

Keenly evaluate your current career interest and the opportunities it has to provide. If you think your current career has reached a saturation point or losing its demand, this is the right time for you to deviate to a different field or a career you wised you have gone for in college times. Browse for schools or institutes that can offer some kind of crash courses or certification for the same.

Keep your calm because stress can make you hog like a pig and lack of physical activity can make it worse. Just not let an extra fat lined up on your belly. You very well know, it’s surely not a sign of prosperity, as they normally say. Look for ways to stay physically fit by joining a local gym, getting involved in playing your favorite sport or just taking a couple of miles run in a park daily.

You surely can explore one of your hidden childhood hobbies like learning guitar, playing mouth organ, defeating your own highest scores on video games, trying luck with stock markets, blah blah blah.

Seems like you have more reason to feel active now than when you were employed, don’t you? Jokes apart, I understand some days you may feel it can be really frustrating, but just hang in there and take time to explore your inner self and give it your best shot.

Good Luck.