How to bounce back from losing your job

2020 has been a tough year for everyone, and it has had devastating effects besides physical illness. Owing to lockdown and businesses being unable to operate as normal, many people have found themselves not only in extremely difficult financial situations but in some cases, out of work. If you or someone you know has recently lost their job and is struggling with their mental wellbeing, we have some useful tips that could help you get back on your feet and feeling in a more positive state of mind.

There’s no denying, losing your job can seriously impact your health and wellbeing. As well as being faced with the worry of paying your bills and rent or keeping up mortgage repayments, it can leave you feeling rejected, hopeless, and feeling as though you have lost your identity. In the short term you might feel stressed, anxious, or angry and if you don’t find ways to cope with these emotions, it could lead to long term depression.

The emotions you may experience after losing your job are often likened to those of someone suffering from grief with feelings such as deep sadness and loss. In a study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, it was found that grief from losing your job can lead to depression. So, what can you do to take care of your mental wellbeing during these difficult times? With these coping techniques, hopefully you will begin to get your life back on track and establish a more positive mindset.

Coping techniques for managing your wellbeing after losing your job

Give yourself time to grieve

Initially, it’s important to accept your feelings of grief, however, try not to dwell on these feelings for too long as it can make it more difficult to get yourself back into some kind of routine and a positive state of mind.

Plan a daily routine

Although you might feel like staying in bed all day or watching television to take your mind off your situation, try and make the effort to establish some kind of daily routine. Shower, get dressed and set yourself tasks (no matter how small they are at first) for the day, such as updating your CV, browsing through job sites, or even just going for a walk in the fresh air. This will help you to value yourself and give you more self-confidence over time.

Learn a new skill

This is a great way to focus your mind and energy into something positive. There are plenty of opportunities for re-training so take advantage of any courses that might be available. You might even find that you’d like to take a completely different direction in your future career.

Highlight your skills

A simple task but one that will improve your self-confidence and help you to see your own self-worth. Write down all your skills and positive personality traits - regardless of how minor they might seem to you - that would benefit a potential employer.

Ask for help financially and emotionally

There’s no shame in asking for help, and remember, in the long term it will only benefit you and your situation. Government websites contain lots of information about benefits for the unemployed so it’s worth browsing the website or even giving them a call to see if you are entitled to financial help that you’re not currently receiving.

Reaching out to a close friend or family member can have a huge impact on how you cope with your mental health. Often, we feel as though we don’t want to burden others with our problems, but you’ll be surprised at how much love and support people want to give when you ask them for help.

For more about dealing with this, and other, difficult periods of transition, visit our webpage on life transitions where you will also find a free download to our booklet on dealing with life transitions.