Take Care of Yourself While Job Seeking: Physically, Mentally, Emotionally and Spiritually

Health Tips for Healthcare Professionals

When you're in the middle of a job search, it can feel like your entire life is on hold. All of your time and energy are focused on finding that next opportunity. And while it's essential to take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually during "job hunt time," it can be tough to know where to start. That's why we've put together this handy guide with tips for staying healthy during your job hunt!

Caring for Your Physical health:

While job searching, routine medical care is essential for your overall well-being. If your physical health starts deteriorating, all other aspects of your health will follow suit. For example, not eating healthy or exercising can often lead to mood swings, depression, and anxiety, not to mention other chronic health issues you can develop in the long run. Furthermore, if you don't eat well and have high cortisol levels from stress, you're more susceptible to depression, anxiety, and job searching fatigue. Therefore, prioritizing your routine medical care will do wonders for your job search and your mental and physical health.

Helpful Tips for Taking Care of Your Physical Health When Job Seeking

Make time for exercise:

Job hunting anxiety can be all-consuming and exhausting. It's important to remember that even if you can't make it to the gym every day, try to get some movement into your day. A walk around the block or a few yoga poses can do wonders for your energy and mood. Exercise releases endorphins, proven to improve mood and relieve stress. Job search depression and anxiety can be challenging to manage on your own, but incorporating exercise into your daily routine can help you cope healthily. So next time you're feeling overwhelmed, put on your sneakers and go for a walk – you might just feel better when you return.

Eat healthily:

Job searches can be stressful. You often feel like you have to be "on" all the time, attending networking events, researching companies, and brushing up on your job interview skills. It's easy to turn to comfort foods when stressed, but fueling your body with nutritious meals will help you stay focused and energized. Eating a balanced diet will give you the energy you need to keep going and help improve your mood. When you're feeling good about yourself, you're more likely to exude confidence in job interviews, making you more likely to land the job you want. So next time you feel stressed about your job search, reach for a healthy snack instead of a sugary one. Your body will thank you for it.

Caring for Your Mental Health:

Job search depression and anxiety can be incredibly tough to manage. Our sympathetic system is what controls our body's involuntary response to stress or survival. When we're in a state of chronic stress job searching, that fight-or-flight response is constantly activated. "Having 2-3 things to do regularly to kick in your parasympathetic system is key," Celio says. "Exercise, breathing exercises, laughter, hugs, and petting your animals are all things that can help stimulate your parasympathetic system." This list of activities helps release the cortisol created by stress and balances our state of mind. If you can't job search outside, try to mix up your routine by exercising inside or doing some breathing exercises mentioned. Something as small as a regular job search break schedule could significantly affect your daily anxiety levels.

Helpful Tips for Taking Care of Your Mental Health When Job Seeking

Take breaks:

Constantly refreshing your inbox or scrolling through job boards can be overwhelming. Permit yourself to step away from your search for a few minutes each day. Maybe read a book, take a nature break or call a friend.

Set realistic expectations:

It's important to remember that finding a job is a process. Allow yourself time to adjust your expectations and focus on the positive aspects of your search.

Get organized:

Job search depression and anxiety are genuine phenomena, and it can be crippling if you let them take over. One of the best ways to fight job search anxiety is to get organized. Track where and when you apply so that you can follow up appropriately. Create a spreadsheet with columns for company, role, the date used, hiring manager, etc. This will help you keep track of your applications and also help to ease your anxiety because the information will be written down and out of your head.

Additionally, it can be helpful to write down your fears, anxieties, and worst-case scenarios. This may seem counterintuitive, but it can help to acknowledge your concerns and give them a voice. Once they're out of your head and on paper (or in a document), you can start to address them more constructively. Job search anxiety is normal and expected, but there are ways to manage it. Getting organized and writing down your fears are two effective methods.

Create a Distraction-Free Space for Interviews:

Video interviews can be a great way to connect with potential employers, but they can also be a source of job search depression and anxiety. A few things to keep in mind are: sounds, background, and connection. You must find somewhere quiet - sitting in your kitchen while your roommate washes dishes will make it hard to hear you. On many video call applications like Zoom, you can add a virtual background, transforming your bathroom into an office or another professional workspace. It's lovely to interview using headphones so you can't hear any background noises that may pull your attention away from the interview. Flag any potential interruptions at the start of the interview, so it's not alarming if you do have to hop out mid-call to restart Peppa the Pig for your toddler. By following these simple tips, you can maximize your chances of acing your following video interview.

Caring for Your Emotional health:

Job search anxiety is a genuine phenomenon. Job seekers are all too familiar with the pit-in-your-stomach feeling that comes with job hunting. For many, the job search process is a rollercoaster of emotions. One minute you feel on top of the world, confident that the job you want is just around the corner. The next minute, you're doubting your qualifications and wondering if you'll ever find a job that's a good fit. The key to managing job search anxiety is to focus on what you can control and let go of what you can't. Constantly checking your email or refreshing your job search portal won't speed up the process. It will likely just increase your anxiety levels. Instead, focus on networking and honing your interviewing skills. These are activities that you can control and that will lead to results. Remember, the job hunting process is not a linear one. There will be ups and downs, but eventually, you will find the right job.

The job hunting process is a lot like dating. It's easy to get anxious about finding "the one" and to think a particular role is perfect for you when it looks great on paper. But just like dating, it's essential to be realistic about each job you find and avoid putting all your eggs in one basket or getting your hopes up about one specific role or company. The best way to find success is to diversify where you apply and to keep an open mind. "Don't get in your way," says Celio. "Apply for jobs you have experience, but let the hiring teams decide if you're qualified before you assume you are not the right fit and don't apply." If you've gone through a recruitment process and think things are going great, but the recruiter ghosts you, don't take it personally. The job search process can be frustrating, but the best way to approach it is with patience and tenacity.

Helpful Tips for Taking Care of Your Emotional Health When Job Seeking

Seek support:

Job-seeking anxiety can be incredibly debilitating. The constant stress of looking for work and fearing rejection can affect your mental health. If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to reach out for support. Talking to someone who understands what you're going through can be incredibly helpful. Whether a family member, friend, or professional counselor/career coach, they can offer much-needed guidance and reassurance. Sometimes just knowing you're not alone can make a world of difference. So if you're struggling with job hunting depression and anxiety, don't be afraid to reach out for help.

Caring for Your Spiritual health:

As anyone who has looked for a job knows, the process can be anxiety-inducing. With so much at stake, it's easy to get caught up in the details and lose sight of the bigger picture. That's why I believe having a committed spiritual practice during your job search is essential. A daily spiritual practice can help you maintain focus and connect with your innermost values. It can also provide peace and calm during stressful times. There are many different spiritual practices to choose from, so you can tailor your approach to fit your needs. However, I recommend starting with an essential combination of meditation and prayer. Set aside three times each day for your practice, and let it be a time for you to focus on your inner life and connect with your higher power. The job search process can be challenging, but if you approach it with an open heart and mind, you will find that it can also be a time of growth and transformation.

It can be easy to get caught up in the daily grind of job searching and feel like you're just going through the motions. But if you have a spiritual practice that you are faithful to, it can provide a sense of meaning and direction during this time. Your spiritual practice doesn't have to be overly complicated or time-consuming; it could be something as simple as setting aside 10 minutes each day for meditation or prayer. But making this small investment of time and energy can pay off significantly. As you stay connected to your spiritual practice, it will become a rich source of guidance and wisdom for your job search and life. So even when job search anxiety starts to set in, you'll know that you are on the path to finding what you seek.

Helpful Tips for Taking Care of Your Spiritual Health When Job Seeking

Connect with your values:

What is most important to you? During this time of transition, it can be helpful to reconnect with your core values. This may involve attending religious services, meditating, or simply taking some time for reflection.

Have a Solid Calming Ritual:

When you first wake up, take a moment to give thanks for the day ahead. Focus on your breath and remain silent for a few minutes. Ask for guidance and strength to face the day's challenges during this time. Picture yourself beginning the day prepared both spiritually and physically. Remember that you are part of the creative process and have a purpose. This calming ritual will help to center you and set the tone for the rest of the day.

Take Some Time to Reflect:

The job search process can be a long and anxiety-ridden one. It's easy to convince yourself that you're not good enough or don't have the experience employers are looking for. However, it's important to remember that you are exactly where you're supposed to be. The job search process is an opportunity to reflect on what you want in a career, grow, and learn new skills. Consider each application as an act of creation, and trust that the job you're meant to have will find its way to you.

Most importantly, remember that you belong exactly where you are. You have a wealth of experience and knowledge, and there is a job out there that perfectly matches your skillset. So relax, take a deep breath, and trust that the universe has your back.

Wrap Up

By taking care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, you'll be better equipped to handle the challenges of your job search. And who knows, maybe you'll even find that the process isn't so bad after all!

What are some of your favorite self-care tips? Share them in the comments below!