Adjusting to no longer having a job can be quite difficult. Address your concerns rather than bottling them up. Do not dwell on the past but consider your job loss a minor setback. Think positive as to what you need to do to secure your next post.

Sometimes losing a job may make you feel as though you don’t want to interact with friends and family due to the embarrassment of someone asking about your job. You should remember that there are many people in your position who have lost their job or are facing redundancy.

Many have also secured new roles since and may be able to provide insight as to how they have coped throughout the process. Sometimes all you need is for somewhere to listen to your problems. They may also be able to provide you with guidance on stability and your future.

In order cope with the stress of unemployment it is good to keep busy and explore new avenues to gain and build on your existing skill set. These include:

Networking: There are a lot of jobs out there which are not advertised in the usual way but are secured through networking with the correct people. Try attending local job fair/ virtual job fairs to meet prospective employers and see what type of roles they are offering.

Community events: Attending community events can be a good way to meet new people as well as seeing whether local businesses are hiring.

Finding a meaningful hobby or activity can help you take your mind off the stress of not having a job. These include outdoor activities that can get you out of the house as well as indoor activities such as learning a new language which can help you secure a new role. Some of these events/courses are free to attend so it is easier for those without a steady income to attend these sessions.

Volunteering can also be a good way of meeting new people and learning a new skill in order to broaden your knowledge and experience.

Losing a job can bring different levels of stress and for some comfort eating is a way of dealing with this. You should ensure that you are eating healthy as this will have a positive impact on your energy level and positivity.

Enjoying mental health means

Just like your physical health, there are things that you can do to increase your mental health.

Please visit:

The Newham website for further information.