No Job, Little Sleep, Getting Frazzled?

A lot has been written about the stress associated with job loss. What are you doing to maintain your equilibrium in light of your own dilemma?

If you are getting down or finding it difficult to get to sleep or stay asleep, leaving you short on energy in the morning, it is time to take some measures for change. There are steps you can take that don’t add cost to your budget but should help:

1. Get some exercise every day. Walk, run, bike…whatever suits you best.
2. Breathe some fresh air. Enjoy a local park’s gardens and natural vistas or tend to your own yard. When the weather is nice enough, find a place to sit outside and eat your lunch.
3. Cook simple, healthy meals. Stay away from sugary or fatty “comfort foods,” sodas, caffeine and excessive alcohol, especially in the evening. Nourish your body and brain with important nutrients.
4. Minimize your before-bed stimuli. Take some time to slow down before you lie down. Have a cup of chamomile tea, read a magazine or listen to quiet music. Television and intense reading can activate your brain instead of putting it to sleep.

Here are some online articles and websites that offer more tips:
Job Losses Carry High 'Stress Tag'
Advice from U.C. Berkeley
Dealing with Job Loss, from CareerOneStop
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Agency
Overcoming Job Loss Depression from eHow.com
Tips on Budget Eating & Job Loss
USDA Food Pyramid