Even job seekers need to come up for air
➔ There are those who say that looking for a job is a full-time job. We won’t argue with that.
On the other hand, looking for a job may be the most stressful job you’ve ever had. Layer some good old fashion age discrimination on top of that and it would be no surprise if your stress level was off the charts.
Break. Balance. Breathe.
Stress needs to be dealt with regardless of the source. Some health care professionals maintain that all stress is self imposed. That may be true. Not being trained health care practitioners, we can’t argue with that.
The bottom line is that it’s normal for job seekers to experience an inordinate amount of stress as they put themselves through the paces. We’re not offering medical advice, but we do know that all stress needs to be dealt with.
A great tip for handling the day-to-day stress you’re feeling is just to simply stop and take a break. Get up. Walk around. Load or unload the dishwasher. Do a load of laundry. Take a ride to pick up a few groceries or to stop at the office supply store. Break your routine. Take your mind off the job search.
Typically, you’ll find that when do return to your search functions, your mind will be clearer and you’ll be more energized.
We hear a lot today about work-life balance. Why wouldn’t that also apply to the job seeker? A solid eight hours a day, everyday, is certain to take its toll on you. Snap the tension.
Since you probably have time now that you never had before, put that time to good use. Look into pursuing that hobby you’ve dreamt about for years. It doesn’t have to be all-encompassing. (You still need to continue your job search.) Maybe an hour a day after lunch. Or use your hobby time as a reward for some focused job searching.
Hobbies are an excellent stress buster. It’s something you enjoy. There’s no pressure and it gives your brain a break. Take that break… you deserve it.