When you’ve been out of work for a while, it's easy to get preoccupied with your job search. But it’s important to remember that your job hunt is also an opportunity to take care of things that are important to you, including your mental health and well-being. With so much on your plate, it's tough to find time to get everything done. But prioritising your mental wellness during your job search can help keep you on track.
With the right mindset and a plan, you can focus on the positives of your job search and enhance your mental health at the same time. Prioritise your mental wellness by:
Sticking to your daily meditation practice
We recommend you set aside just a few minutes each morning to meditate. Fifteen minutes of meditation a day is all it takes to reap the benefits of meditation, which include:
● An increased awareness of your mental state and physical condition
● Reduced stress, frustration, and anxiety
● Improved sleep quality and overall health
There are lots of free options for guided meditation online, such as Headspace or Calm, or you can check out an app like Insight Timer.
Keeping a gratitude journal
When you feel disheartened or discouraged, take a moment to remember something that brings you joy. Jot down your blessings in a gratitude journal each night before bed. The goal isn't necessarily to make yourself feel better, but rather to acknowledge the good things in your life right now.
Keep your journal private – you don't want others to get the wrong idea.
Eating healthily and taking care of yourself
You know what foods make you feel great, so try to eat well during your job search. Your mental wellness is closely linked with how you treat your body, and nourishing yourself with healthy food will help you perform at your best during the job hunt.
Exercising daily
Getting regular exercise, even if it's just a 20-minute walk each day, can help you stay balanced. Some of the best ways to exercise during a job search are:
● Walking or running outside.
● Going to yoga classes in your local community centre.
● Taking an exercise class at a nearby gym.
Creating realistic, actionable goals
Goal-setting is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your dreams. Before you get started, think back to when you were a child. Why were you so excited to begin school or preschool? What did you want to be when you grew up? Why was that important to you? Maybe you wanted to be an astronaut because the toys in your bedroom made space travel seem fun and exciting. Or maybe your parents worked in healthcare, and helping others was more important than anything else.
You have those same hopes today, but the world around us has changed significantly since we were children. Now, instead of focusing on the moon, we're looking toward the stars. Instead of thinking about the next decade, we're thinking about our children's futures on another planet. Solving problems you don't know how to solve is an exciting challenge – if you let it be one.
Think big and dream big during your job search! Then, take those dreams and make them into actionable goals.
For example: you want to work in international development but aren't sure where to begin. Set a goal that is practical, measurable, and time-bound (PMT) so that you can take action today. But be sure to set a goal that’s realistic.
It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning for the future, but it's important not to over-promise and under-deliver. Instead, set plausible goals that you can measure. And if you have time to take on more than one actionable goal during your job search, then do so!
Prioritising your mental well-being during your job search is easier when you have a plan. A job search plan shows you what steps you need to take, how long they will take, and where help may be available (e.g., online courses). Some plans are better than others. The best plans are actionable and specific to you, but also realistic. Being too ambitious can lead to stress, frustration and disappointments in the short-term. You’re unlikely to see immediate results from a plan that is too ambitious or unrealistic.
There are lots of ways to take care of yourself during a job search. Taking small steps, such as prioritising your mental wellness through meditation and by keeping a gratitude journal, can help you feel better and focus on the positives during your search.
Prioritising your mental health doesn't have to come at the expense of your job search effort, but it needs to be deliberate and strategic. To do this, start by taking small steps now, such as signing up for a meditation app or starting a gratitude journal. Once you're comfortable with these strategies, add in other activities that nourish and replenish you.
