5 ways to cope if youre laid off during the holidays

5 ways to cope if youre laid off during the holidays5 ways to cope if youre laid off during the holidaysDuring the holiday season, all you want is time away from the office spent with those you love, so you can start the new year feeling recharged. Thats why layoffs at such a pleasant time - when youre really looking forward to letting your guard down- feel like the worst-case scenario.Heres how to cope if you get the axe.(Try to) Leave on a high noteYoull want to leave the job on good terms. So as horrifying as the situation may seem, dont put on a show of dramatic emotions or act in a way that embarrasses yourself or your team.As Ladders reader Mikeonce showed us, its important to leave a good impression on your way out.Try to enjoy time with loved ones as much as possibleI know, I know, this is a lot easiersaid than done. But its worth a shot.As long as no one pesters you too long for the play-by-play on how you were laid off, spending time with friends and family could be the ke y to moving forward. They can help remind you that your future still has a lot in store for you.Hit the gymYou have to keep moving.J.T. ODonnell, Founder and CEO of WorkItDaily.com, writes in Inc. that people who lose their jobs over the holidays should work out every day.Its normal to go through a grieving process when we lose a job. The fear, anger, doubt, denial, etc. Its important to allow yourself to process your feelings, but dont let it take too long, she writes. The sooner you can see the possibility of landing a new, more interesting job, the sooner youll be in the right state of mind to network, interview, and land a new position. One of the best ways to cope is to exercise. The endorphins will give you a mental and physical boost. Youll need your strength. Plus, exercising will be a stress reliever, a confidence builder, and a mood enhancer.Spend on gifts within your meansYou dont have to overdo it.Chrissy Scivicque, Founder and CEO of the site Eat Your Career, writes in U.S. News World Report that if you were recently fired, you should cut back on extravagant gifts during the holidays.No doubt youre feeling the financial uncertainty of unemployment. Thats totally normal This time of year can create added strain, especially if youre used to buying extravagant gifts for loved ones, she writes. Dont allow your history of generosity to push you into unwise spending. You need to make some adjustments to account for the current situation. Your loved ones will understand its not about the gifts, and it never was. Focus on giving fewer, more meaningful, gifts instead.Try to be as positive as possible during the job huntThink about the new year - instead of seeing a blank page, let yourself feel negative for a short instant, and then get back to the grind. Your drive (and maybe even sanity) will thank you.After all, youre still here, so you might as well make your time worthwhile and work toward what youve always wanted.