Losing your job can have a devasting impact on your sense of self-worth, your ability to afford to live and your mental health.

The fear of unemployment and losing your job can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression and in some cases, any sense of hopelessness can cause thoughts of suicide.

Below, we have put together some suggested strategies for anyone who is worried about losing their job, concerned about their finances or how to find a new job and how they might cope with any potential loss of status and self-worth or even feeling low about no longer having a daily routine because they’re no longer going to work.

All of these worries can lead to feelings of shock, anger and despair, which can soon become overwhelming and ultimately totally debilitating. We hope these 6 tips are helpful:

6 Steps to keeping on top of your anxiety

1. Accept how you’re feeling

Firstly, recognise that it’s ok to feel angry, shocked, sad, fearful and worried but rather than letting these feelings rule you, try removing the emotion. Take yourself off somewhere and note down each of the most powerful emotions you’re experiencing and ask yourself, why am I feeling a sense of shock, why am I feeling angry, what is creating this sense that everything is hopeless? Take time to write down your answers and in doing so, this should help you look at each of these feelings more objectively and less emotionally – if nothing else, you should feel calmer

2. Identify what you can deal with

You may not be able to alter the fact that you are about to lose or you have lost your job. However, you can look at which aspects of your finances you might be able to cut back on, you can sit down with your partner and family and discuss a plan of action together, you can start to consider what you might look to do for your next career role and perhaps even start making some enquiries. Sitting down together, with someone you trust and putting a plan together is far more constructive than being alone and wondering what to do next. Be careful though, make sure you don’t spend all day, every day, job searching as this will soon wear you down. Break the day up by exercising or getting outdoors in the fresh air.

Consider taking up a new hobby – what is something you’ve always wanted to do, which doesn’t cost a fortune but somehow, work or other stuff just got in the way before – what’s stopping you now?

Each incremental action you take, will soon create momentum and not only make you feel more positive but will actually move you away from those fears that are currently holding you back and creating feelings of anxiety.

3. Movement, fresh air and routine are crucial

You can’t extricate yourself from your current situation if you’re still laying in bed. Make sure you are sticking to a daily routine. Go to bed at the same time you did when you were working, set your alarm and get up at the same time. Make sure you shower and get dressed – you don’t need to be all suited and booted but at least make an effort for your family, those Zoom calls and the Amazon delivery guy!

Plan tasks for the day, split between those jobs that need doing at home and planning your next career move. Include a walk, run, cycle in the fresh air (really important). The therapeutic benefits of gardening are now widely documented also, so get that border sorted.

4. Accept what is happening and that it’s not a reflection of you

Focusing on things you can’t change is not healthy or productive. It’s important to recognise that these may be unchartered waters for you but recognise that you have dealt with uncertainty before and you will do this time too. It may take time to secure your next role, so be prepared to hang in there and implement the suggestions mentioned earlier.

5. Keep healthy

If you’re going to do those jobs around the home, whilst re-shaping your resume and sending out job applications or connecting with useful people on LinkedIn, you’re going to need energy. Poor mental health, caused by worry and anxiety can deplete your energy resources significantly.

It’s important to keep your energy levels at their optimum by maintaining a healthy sleep regime, reduce the number of snacks or ready meals you’re consuming, keep hydrated – alcohol will not hydrate you – keep mobile by making sure you’re not sitting down for longer than 30 minutes at a time and take regular aerobic exercise, preferably outdoors.

Keeping healthy is as much about your mental health as it is your physical wellbeing. Mindfulness is becoming an increasingly popular pastime – using a combination of meditative techniques and breathing. Mindfulness can be hugely beneficial in helping reduce feelings of anxiety – 2 great mindfulness apps are Calm and Headspace.

Reading those books you always meant to catch up on, might be another good past-time to help keep your mind occupied – nothing too dark or depressing though.

Contributing to others is proven to help reduce our own worries. Is there a charity you’d like to volunteer some time to help or perhaps you know of someone else who is struggling in some way who you can be there for?