how to stay active while unemployed

When you get laid off, it’s really tempting to lie around on the couch, watch Law and Order reruns, and feel sorry for yourself. I think it’s fine to do that for a little while, but at some point you’re going to have to get off the recliner. Whether you’re looking for a job right away or have decided to enjoy some funemployment for awhile, there are a couple of things you should consider doing in order to a) keep yourself active and alert, and b) have some stuff to talk about when interviewers ask you about that gap on your resume.

• Volunteer. I know it sounds crazy to encourage you to work for free while you’re struggling to find a new paying gig, but volunteering even a couple of hours a week – whether at an animal shelter, a nature preserve, or a soup kitchen – will give you something to think about every time you start wallowing in self-pity. Plus, it’s a good way to meet new people and possibly consider a different career path.
• Consider temping or doing an internship in another field. If you’ve always secretly dreamed about pursuing that career in the music industry but never had the guts to do it, now’s your chance. You might learn that it’s not the gig for you but have some fun in the meantime, or you might figure out a way to leverage the skills you already have into your new dream job.
• Bond with other unemployed people. The last thing you need to do is sit around the house all day being depressed. If you have other unemployed friends, try to meet up once or twice a week. You can serve as each others’ support systems during new job searches or just catch cheap afternoon matinees or scour the town for a good happy hour.

• Start a new healthy habit. When I got laid off, I ran out of excuses to skip yoga class. Now, I go twice a week to a pay-what-you-can studio. Whether you decide to take up jogging, cook healthy and inexpensive meals at home, or finally quit smoking, being freed from the 9-to-5 schedule means you have lots of time to devote to self-improvement.
• Strengthen your relationships. Do you have a friend who you always vow to hang out with, only to go six months without seeing each other because you’re both so busy working? Now’s your chance to catch up with your friends and relatives – you can head to the other side of town to meet them near their office for lunch without stressing about getting back to work in time. Suggest free or cheap stuff like going on a walk or renting movies – the point is spending time, not money. (This woman used her layoff time to bond with her family.)
• Reflect. Many of us define ourselves by what we do. Now that you’ve lost your job, this is a good time to figure out who you are and what you care about outside of the context of work. Ask yourself what you really want out of life – the answer might surprise you.