You may suffer tension, worry, fear, despair, and loneliness during the COVID-19 epidemic. And mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression, might deteriorate. Surveys reveal a significant rise in the number of adults reporting symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness during the epidemic compared to surveys before the pandemic. Some people have increased their usage of alcohol or drugs to believe that it will help them cope with their anxieties about the epidemic. In truth, consuming these drugs can exacerbate fear and despair.
People with drug use disorders, particularly those addicted to cigarettes or opioids, are more likely to have adverse outcomes if they get COVID-19. In addition, these addictions can impair lung function and weaken the immune system, resulting in chronic illnesses like heart disease and lung disease, which raise the chance of significant COVID-19 consequences. Therefore, it is essential to master self-care practices and techniques for all stated reasons.
Self-care strategies
Self-care practices are beneficial to both your emotional and physical health, and they may assist you in taking control of your life. Take care of your body and mind and connect with people to improve your mental health.
Be mindful of your physical health:
- Get adequate rest. Every day, go to bed and get up at the same hour. Even if you’re staying at home, stick to your usual sleep-wake routine.
- Engage in frequent physical activity. Physical activity and exercise regularly can help reduce anxiety and enhance mood. Find a movement-inducing activity, such as dancing or fitness applications. Whether it’s for a nature walk or in your backyard, get outside.
- Consume nutritious foods. Choose a well-balanced diet. Avoid consuming junk food and processed sugar. Caffeine should be consumed in moderation to worsen tension, anxiety, and sleep issues.
- Tobacco, alcohol, and narcotics should be avoided. You’re already at a heightened risk of lung illness if you smoke or vape. Because COVID-19 affects the lungs, your risk rises much more. Using alcohol to cope might make things worse and weaken your coping skills. Unless your doctor has recommended meds for you, avoid using drugs to manage.
- Limit your screen time. Turn off electronic devices at least once a day, preferably 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. Make a conscious effort to spend less time in front of a screen – television, tablet, computer, and phone.
- Relax and replenish your batteries. Make time for yourself. Even a few minutes of quiet time may be soothing and help to calm your thoughts and lessen worry. Many people benefit from deep breathing, tai chi, yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. Soak in a bubble bath, listen to music, or read or listen to a book – whatever helps you relax. Choose a technique that works the best for you and put it to use regularly.
How to secure a marketing job post-pandemic?
1. Understand the dynamics of a Marketing Job
You may already have a firm idea of the sort of marketing career you want to pursue. Or maybe you’re still learning about your possibilities or thinking about a few different options. That’s just OK! Familiarise yourself with typical marketing roles—from email marketing to brand management to product marketing—and consider what type of career you’d like to take on now, as well as what you envision yourself doing in the long term. Of course, you may always start as a generalist to polish your talents and figure out where you want to go next.
2. Set Up Informational practice Interviews
Make some cold reach outs and set up informational interviews with real marketers. For example, do you have a college professor with marketing experience? Is there someone in your network who has worked in marketing for a time, such as your aunt or a friend’s brother? Is there a marketer whose work you like and with whom you wish you could communicate? Speaking with people who have experience in the jobs you’re looking for will help you prepare for your applications, interviews, and first employment.
3. Look for mentors to learn from
In college, I was a member of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization club, which introduced me to my first mentor, the CEO of a software business. We would meet a few times a month to chat about tech startups, and those talks helped me uncover my passion for marketing, especially for organizations in the tech area.
Your mentor can guide you on how to write an effective cover letter and resume to help you stand out from the crowd. Your mentor can also advise you on the types of questions you’ll be asked if you’re called in for an interview.
Some mentors will even use their personal and professional contacts to recommend you to people searching for skilled individuals to fill various marketing roles. And, because firms prefer individuals who have been personally recommended by someone they know and trust, you’ll stand a better chance of getting your first job.
4. Take up Freelance projects to gain experience.
Try to find whatever freelance marketing-related possibilities you can, such as copywriting or social media management positions. This is an excellent method to gain real-world experience to add to your résumé.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, consider asking around in your network. Do you have friends or family who could know small company owners that need help sending out weekly email newsletters or advertising a new venture on social media? Is your mentor aware of somebody who isn’t looking for a full-time position but could need some assistance on a particular project? If you’ve completed a marketing internship, you might consider reaching out to your connections to see if there are any prospects for you to freelance for them. Even if they don’t have something for you right immediately, you’ll remain top of mind if anything comes up or if they hear of something.
5. Learn practical Marketing Skills through courses
Another productive approach to spend your time is studying and enhancing skills that will make you a desirable candidate for marketing employment, such as being acquainted with Google Analytics or understanding the fundamentals of search engine optimization (SEO). Spend an hour or two each day or week taking online digital marketing classes to hone your skills and help you stand out from the crowd.
You may use what you’ve learned in these sessions for your projects, such as a blog or podcast or any freelancing work you can find. Even if you lack prior full-time experience, the fact that you took the initiative to learn, combined with the knowledge you’ve gained from courses and the experience you’ve gained from applying it in small ways, can help you show interviewers that you know your stuff and will be a valuable, proactive member of the team.
