HITTING THE BOTTLE TO COPE?
Although many believe we are nearing the end of the recession, there are still 2.46 million unemployed people in the UK. Many of
those have experienced the devastation of redundancy and latest figures show 182,000 people were laid off between September 2009
and November 2009.
Redundancy can often be an extremely Try to avoid alcohol as much as Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of
difficult time and it’s easy to slip into possible. Drinking is linked to Drinkaware, says: “The country has
feelings of anxiety, lethargy and low depression and can make you feel faced one of its worst recessions in
self-esteem if you are struggling to look worse. If you do drink, try to stick history and redundancies have regularly
for another job. within the daily unit guidelines which made the headlines.
are 3-4 units for a man (a pint and
Being out of work can also affect other a half of average strength lager) and “Losing your job is recognised as one
aspects of your life, such as how much 2-3 units for a woman (a 175ml glass of the top 10 most stressful life events,
you drink. And it seems people affected of wine). and many people living in the North
by redundancy are hitting the bottle to West are turning to alcohol as a coping
cope with their new circumstances. To stay healthy, start your day with mechanism. But alcohol is a depressant
a 10-20 minute jog or brisk walk. and can lead to further stress and anxiety,
A survey conducted by alcohol awareness Exercise will leave you feeling fresh, which can make the effects of
charity, Drinkaware in 2009 revealed invigorated and ready for the job hunt. redundancy much worse. People who
more than one in 10 adults in the North have been affected by redundancy -
West were either made redundant or Stay healthy - eating a wide variety whether they’re drinking more alcohol
knew someone who had been made of food, especially fish, wholegrain or not - can take a look at our advice
redundant between October 2008 and cereals, nuts, beans, fruit, vegetables booklet for practical ways to move
March 2009 and was drinking more as and protein, and drinking plenty of forward and make a fresh start.”
a result. water will help lift your mood.
To help people cope positively with
Being out of work also affected drinking Make sure you know your rights: redundancy, Drinkaware has teamed up
patterns, with over three quarters of this how you should be treated, your notice with top careers coach John Lees to
group drinking more during the day. period, and if you’re entitled to produce a free advice booklet. ‘Made
redundancy payment. Go to your trade redundant? The practical guide to getting
But receiving news that you will have to union or professional body for advice. back into work and staying healthy’,
leave your job needn’t affect your health includes expert information on knowing
and wellbeing. It can be all too easy to Make an appointment with a your rights, coping with loss of income,
block out your worries by drinking a few recruitment agency or careers advisor and preparing for a new job search, as
more than usual but alcohol won’t help to review your CV and discuss career well as advice and handy hints on staying
you take the positive steps you need to opportunities. healthy while looking for a job.
move on.
Check your finances, bills, savings The leaflet can be downloaded from
Drinkaware suggests the following tips to and any other income you might have,
drinkaware.co.uk and is also widely
help people deal with the immediate and work out a budget for the next available from GP’s surgeries, Jobcentre
aftermath of redundancy: three months. Plus, and recruitment agencies.
16 - WORK
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