5 Ways to Stay Positive and Healthy While Job Hunting

Looking for work can be a long, drawn-out process which makes it very hard to stay positive. It’s also very stressful, which is going to impact on your health. Research has shown that people who have been out of work for long periods of time are more likely to have poor health, have mental health problems, and smoke. It can also lead to a significant decline in physical activity and weight gain. It doesn’t have to be that way, and there are things you can do to improve the way you feel. Here are five things you can do to stay positive and healthy throughout your job search.

photo: photologue_np via Flickr

Manage Your Stress

There are a number of reasons why job-hunting is so stressful. It could be the knock your self-confidence is experiencing or that lack of financial stability that’s keeping you awake at night. The signs of stress should not be ignored. They include lack of energy, headaches, aches, pains, changes in appetite, and many more. A good way to reflect on how you’re feeling is to keep a daily journal. It can help you identify changes that need to be made as well as being good for your mental and physical health.

Exercise More

If you can keep active, it increases your energy levels, reduces stress, and increases motivation. 10,000 steps every day is considered optimum for staying healthy and losing weight. Exercise is not an expensive lifestyle choice as there are plenty of free activities you can do to keep in shape. Take up running or follow an exercise regime on YouTube.

Get Enough Sleep

If you’re not getting enough sleep, your energy levels are going to decrease along with your concentration and speed of thought. All of these traits are vital when you’re looking for a job. The optimum number of hours for most people is at least seven or eight. Your body is very good at telling you when you’re tired, so listen to it very carefully. Staying up late watching the latest Netflix binge-worthy series might not affect you in the short term, but after a few months, you’re going to feel lacking in energy, less alert and unhealthy.

Try Volunteering

If you’ve been unemployed for a long period of time, you might feel like you’ve lost your sense of purpose. You don’t have to be somewhere at a specific time of the day, and you’ve got nothing to occupy your mind. You can keep it fresh and stimulated by volunteering. You’re also going to meet people you can network with. Volunteering is something that’s going to look very good on your resume. If you need help writing one that stands out from the crowd, a company such as My Perfect CV can help.

Take Time Off

One last tip is to remember that there are other things in your life just as important as job searching. Don’t let your job search consume you and don’t be hard on yourself. Don’t forget the other areas in your life, such as family and friends.

Taking care of your health when you’re looking for a job is important. The better shape you’re in, the easier you’re able to handle any stress.

Author: Carol Trehearn