Out and about over the weekend, I saw a sign in a store that said:
Everyone's home for the holidays -- I'll be in therapy on Monday!
I chuckled to myself and thought yep, pretty much. Seriously, if you're a job seeker, do you find the holidays stress-free or stressful? You know, when Grandma asks "don't you have a job yet, Missie?" or when Uncle Harold chimes in "You know, son, you better take what you can get in this economy" or how your third cousin twice removed tells you about her three-week getaway to Somewhere and "oh, you must come by and see our new..."
Stress. What is stress, anyway?
According to Merriam-Webster, one definition of stress is: d: a state resulting from a stress: especially: one of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium...
In graduate school, I recall studying Hans Selye and the discovery of stress. I also remember learning about types of stress, specifically distress and eustress and how stress can be "good" or "bad." As a job seeker, what strategies do you employ to manage stress of either variety during the holiday season? Listed below are a few coping strategies to help with the "dis" side of stress:
1. Come up with the line you feel comfortable in sharing when well-intentioned people ask about your job search. If you're struggling with what to say, here's an idea to help you...just fill in the blanks to suit your situation:
"Thanks for asking, Aunt Mable, about my job search...please keep me in mind if you hear of opportunities in the financial services industry where experience in project management, customer support and team leadership contribute to improved employee productivity and client retention." (Aunt Mable may not have a lead for you, but at least you sound like you have your act together - sort of)
2. Exercise. Take walks. Work out. If you don't belong to a health or fitness club right now, concrete works! Hit the pavement. Walk off the stress if your knees, back, hips and ankles are up to it. It will help your head and you might drop a couple of extra pounds and look better for the interview.
3. When someone engages you in conversation about how bad this is, how terrible that is and how things are getting worse, not better, why not mention something positive and steer your chat in another direction. As my daughter says...I'm just sayin.
4. Watch funny movies. Check them out at your local library if you're a member. It won't change the fact that you don't have a job, but it could be a welcome relief to hear yourself laugh!
5. Read a book about job search -- ask guests at the holiday gathering for their ideas and recommendations.
6. Browse the Internet for interesting blog posts on how to survive the holidays while looking for a job.
7. Volunteer in your local community. Check out volunteer organizations online. Ask around -- who needs a helping hand, especially during the holidays? (Volunteering is a wonderful way to share your gifts and talents and the person you meet volunteering today could well be the person who's hiring you tomorrow.)
8. Make holiday gifts instead of buying them. You don't have to spend a lot of money to give a priceless gift. For example, at Mother's Day this year, I advised each of our children that the only thing I'd like from them, if they chose to give me a gift, was "Lessons from Mom" in their handwriting. Both daughters offered beautiful written pieces that I love to hold, read and re-read. Our son didn't have time to write anything (he got a pass - he's in law school) but on that special day, he told me, in person, "Five Things I've Learned From You, Mom."
9. Bake something this holiday season and share it! I really don't enjoy cooking, but I love to bake, especially for the holidays. Remember the scene in Grey's Anatomy when Izzy baked and baked muffins to relieve stress?
10. Call, email, text or DM someone in your circle this holiday season..."Just wanted to say hey (hello / hi) and to thank you for being my friend"...
Wishing you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for reading!
"Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one." ~ Hans Selye
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