T‘is the season to be jolly. Or so the song goes. But if you are unemployed at this time you are adding more stress to an already stressful time. But it doesn’t have to be. There are ways to cope with the season. I have provided some suggestions for you to choose from as not everyone has the same issues. Any stress you can eliminate will help you enjoy the season and less stress is better when looking for a job.
- Take 30 minutes a day for me time, read a book, listen to music, take a nap or anything that relaxes you. It’s necessary for you to take some time for a few quiet moments to recharge and refresh to be able to do all you need to do and put things in perspective
- Keep expectations low. The holiday season is one of great expectations on many levels. Your family isn’t the Brady Bunch. They are real and make mistakes. They can’t read your mind. Keep your expectations to what you and others can realistically expect. Anything above the expected is a plus.
- Give back by volunteering your time to help those less fortunate. Volunteering has a twofold benefit. The recipient is grateful for the help and the giver feels good for having done something for someone else.
- Simplify your celebration. Look at all the things you are expected to do. Are the expectations yours or others? Are there things on the list that aren’t necessary? A good place to start is the things that don’t serve a purpose anymore because people have grown up and moved away or isn’t practical in this day and age. A done for your product can save time and energy.
- Say no to things that you don’t have time for. With many things to do and places to go, you can choose what is necessary and important to you. Be firm but polite in your refusal. If it’s something you have to do, do it, but remove something else from your list.
- Take things one at a time. Although multitasking is a valuable skill, it causes unnecessary stress. Looking at all you have to do is overwhelming. Do one thing and do it well. Soon your done list will be longer than you’re to do list.
- Understand your emotions are real and normal. You are joining the millions of other people sharing your concern and distress at this time of the year and employment status. Taking care of you is essential. Ask for help if you think you need it or others say you need it.
- Budget your time. Plan ahead so that you have time to do the things you want to do. By doing something everyday, you gradually decrease your list. Putting things off until the last minute will result in an overwhelming amount of things to do.
I will finish the rest of the list in my next post. Start thinking of ways you can reduce your stress this holiday season and make it your new tradition.
