(Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash)

Article by: Jane Sandwood, freelance writer

Unemployed people are twice as likely as employed people to experience psychological problems (34% compared to 16%). Job loss often ranks among the highest in stress on a list of life-altering events such as a family bereavement, divorce, and serious illness, and for a good reason. Many people tie their work into their sense of purpose and identity within a community. However, losing a job doesn’t have to be completely negative. There are many ways to use the situation to your advantage, and by incorporating wellness techniques into your life, you can find yourself feeling better than before.

Mindfulness & Meditation Promote Well-Being

One study found that one in five Americans without a job for a year or more report that they have been or are currently undergoing treatment for depression. The onset of depression can be caused by and enhanced by various life factors, but mindfulness is one of the most impactful ways to treat it. Meditation, for example, has been shown to increase brain performance, enhance creativity, alleviate stress, and help calm anxiety, all of which are symptoms of depression and the stress related to losing a job. Incorporating just 30 minutes of meditation daily could improve these symptoms while also giving you time alone to speak kindly to yourself and process the emotions you are feeling towards your current financial and professional situation.

Using a Job Loss to Your Professional Benefit

Rather than looking at a job loss as a negative thing, view it as an opportunity to reassess your professional situation, skills and overall desires in your career. Take time to work on your resume, learn a few more marketable skills, and look for the job of your dreams. Ask yourself questions such as whether or not you want to stay in the same occupational field, how you can make yourself a better employee, and where you see yourself a few years down the line. Understanding the answers to these questions will not only help you gain a better perspective on why you might have lost your job, it will help you use the experience to your benefit and come back as a stronger, more marketable employee.

Stay Future-Focused

Losing a job is never easy, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be hard. By incorporating wellness techniques such as meditation and mindfulness into your daily routine, you can alleviate some of the stress and other emotionally-related symptoms you might be experiencing. By quieting your mind you are giving yourself space to process the life change while also assessing what you want professionally. Take time to improve your resume, surround yourself with positive people, and prioritize self-care and you’ll find yourself feeling better in no time, and likely land the job of your dreams.