by Rhonda Day

Created on: January 09, 2008

Unemployment is something that many of us will have to face at some point in our adult lives. It can be a time of high anxiety, frustration, and depression.

Or, it can be a time to re-energize and plunge yourself into a new, more exciting world!

Whether or not you are unemployed due to your own choice, or the choice of a former employer, there are some things you can do to optimize the time you now have available. Take advantage of the situation and turn it around into something that will open up a better future for you. Start by employing a few basic guidelines in your day.

1. Unemployed doesn't mean that you have nothing to do every day! You have even more to do. You need to take care of yourself physically and mentally. If you sit around brooding about your situation, it will just seem worse. But if you take better care of yourself physically and mentally, then your outlook will be positive and you will find options that you never knew were possible. Start each day by taking pride in how you dress. Sweat pants and baggy t-shirts are okay the first couple of days, but after that, start dressing in a way that makes you feel good about yourself. Now that you have more time on your hands, fit time into your day for some physical fitness and exercise. It can be as simple as walking but do something active and your mental health will benefit as well!

2. Take time to reconnect with old friends and acquaintances. This is very similar to networking at work. You never know what might happen as a result of making these contacts. Having friends to talk to will make a big difference in how you handle your situation and friends often know about open jobs or opportunities of which you are unaware. Brush off your phone and address book and reach out to others.

3. When you are unemployed, it is often a time for self-reflection on where you have been and where you want to go. This may be the time to begin a new career search. It could be a great time to go back to school or take some online courses in an area of interest. Think about the ideal job for you and determine your passion in life. Then use this time to help you reach that goal!

4. Volunteering in a field of interest is a great way to utilize some of your new-found time during an unemployment phase. It will improve your sense of well-being and will help others at the same time. You may connect with people who are able to help you find employment or who can help you in your search for a job. Although this is not your major

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