While unemployment rates might have dropped, losing a job or taking a break from work is totally normal. However, when these short breaks turn into situations of long term unemployment, it is important that you don’t let the laid back attitudes get the better of you.
In February of 2021, it was observed that 6.8 million people had been out of jobs for over six months, as compared to the 4 million in January. In fact, this section accounts for 39.5 % of the unemployed population. These figures only serve to highlight the growing crisis of long term unemployment.
What is the effect of long term unemployment?
Being jobless for some while can impact you on various levels, from mindset and daily habits to even physical health. If you aren’t putting your body and mind to productive use, laziness and demotivation are more likely to take over in the form of a rabbit hole mandset. In other words, lack of the daily challenges that a typical job presents can turn your brain stagnant, resulting in feelings of being directionless or purposeless.
Being unemployed and staying home can lead to deterioration of your physical health. Gaining or losing weight is likely, and so is the risk of suffering from stiffness of muscles and weakness in bones. Obesity rates have been measured to be 31.5 % amongst those unemployed for a duration of 12 to 26 weeks.
Employers are more likely to consider you if are already performing at a job, and so long term unemployment can impact your possible work prospects. You probably wish to be a good example for your children and a source of inspiration for them. Therefore, it is best to be proactive in your perspective if you are going through long term unemployment.
Help that you can seek when unemployed
In case you know someone who is dealing with long term unemployment, it is important for them to understand that help exists everywhere, as long as there is willingness to reach for it. All it takes is a little push to set the wheels rolling once again, and even consulting your friends for advice can serve this purpose.
The first step to helping yourself in such times is to look beyond the social dogma surrounding long term unemployment. Despite what you get labelled as, it is important that you know your worth and your capabilities better than anyone else.
State governments usually offer extended benefits for people looking for jobs. Moreover, colleges and job centers provide counselling services and training programs designed to help get you back on track. If you don’t have a job, you can look for ones that fit your style at the press of a button on your phone or computer. Fact of the matter is there is no dearth of options, as long as you realise the negatives of long term unemployment and are willing to break free from it. If you are looking to kickstart your new career, it might be best to check out some of the free career guidance you will find online.
