The day you get laid off: What to do at home

“We take better care of our smartphones than we do of ourselves; the phones are always recharged!” – Arianna Huffington

Practice radical self-care … starting today.

Job loss is hard on everyone. I’ve watched some of the most confident, successful people go through job loss and wake up some days wondering if they will ever work again. Self-doubt is a natural side of losing your job, and the only way to break through is to take care of yourself. Keep your gas tank full. If you can afford it, it’s best to take a few days or even a week before you start a new job search. Let the grief and shock and sadness sink in and roll through you. If you try to ignore them, they will rear their ugly head at a most inconvenient time (like in the middle of a job interview!) So, let it all roll through you now.

• Call your support network. Call your closest family & friends. Let them know what happened.
• Eat a nice dinner. Food is good, and it’s important to eat well during your transition.
• Get some exercise. Exercise is one of the most important ways to combat stress. You don’t have to run a marathon; just make sure you are moving every single day.
• Do something you enjoy (watch a movie, build a puzzle, take a walk, talk to friends, etc.)
• Pick one thing you will do for yourself every day to keep your spirits high & body energized. Make it small, easy to do, affordable and healthy for you.