Photo by Arek Adeoye on Unsplash
So, you lost your job? Hey, me too! In fact, over 20 million people are also unemployed. You are not alone. I remember thinking to myself, “okay, this might last a month and things will get back to normal.” Well, as we all know it isn’t. While businesses are opening up, there are still many of us out here in job limbo. We aren’t sure when we will be going back, and that is giving us more free time than we thought possible.
While it can look like a vacation from the outside, being home all day with nothing to do can cause stress and anxiety. I find myself overthinking more than ever with nowhere to exert extra energy. So, for those of you in this boat with me, I wanted to share some things I have done for self-care in the time of joblessness and COVID-19.
Take a Walk
Never underestimate the power of a good walk. I like to put on one of my favorite albums, and wander the neighborhood. Sometimes, I don’t put headphones in and take in my surroundings. Even with limited things to do, you can always get out and go on a walk. Walking helps me exert the energy I have pent up from not working, and I’ve grown to appreciate my neighborhood.
Read a Book
Who doesn’t like to read? I have found that instead of sitting in front of the TV, it helps to read a book. I personally like the feel of a tangible book and turning the pages. Getting lost in a story is a good way to kill a few hours. I keep a consistent stack next to my bed, and sometimes I get wild and go out on the porch to read.
Telehealth
When I lost my job, I wasn’t sure I would be able to afford therapy anymore, but there are many resources available. It’s important to take care of yourself while you’re worrying about the rest of the world. Even just using the text features have been helpful when I’m feeling anxious. The video appointments help me feel connected when I’m stuck at home.
Do Nothing
Okay, hear me out. Believe it or not, this is what I enjoy the most now. It sounds hard, but letting yourself sit back and do absolutely nothing can do wonders. At first, I had a difficult time with it, but now that I’ve had a few months of practice, I’m getting to know the cracks in my ceiling.
These are just a few of the things I have done, but they are the most important. I have struggled to keep a daily routine, but having a few choices to block out the day helps. Along with these, I have gotten on the puzzle bandwagon and took a bath for the first time in my adult life. While I have seen a lot of pressure put on people to use this time to work on the next big thing, I encourage you to take a moment to do nothing. Take a breath, you are living through quite a bit of history right now, so take some time for yourself.
