Problem: Write an article based on this summary: File for unemployment. Check out what charities can do for you. Talk to family members.

Answer: If you don't know already, find out from your former employer or welfare agency if you qualify for unemployment and, if so, whether you can collect right away. In some cases you may need to wait until any severance, bonus or other monies paid are exhausted first. Once you've received the answer, do what makes most sense to you and your circumstances, with regard to collecting immediately or waiting. In some countries you are able to claim a form of financial support while you job seek; however, if you have made yourself voluntarily unemployed then there will usually be a minimum period that has to elapse before you can begin claiming this. You can often get charitable help in the way of food banks, clothing assistance, job application reskilling, etc. through charities that focus on helping unemployed people. If you feel too proud to seek such help, remind yourself that you are part of what keeps some of those charity workers in a job, as their services are only needed when people use them. Moreover, sometimes being part of the charity community is a way of finding new work, especially if you undertake volunteer work when you feel ready. In some cases, changes can be made within your immediate family that will give you the breathing space needed to recover from the past job and look for a new one. In other cases, extended family may be able to assist with loan/mortgage repayments or other forms of help. Think about all the possibilities open to you through a supportive family structure; for example, if a family member owns residential property, you might be able to do a deal to downsize to it and pay cheaper rent for a while.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Gather supplies. Get started.

Answer: Grab containers, paper towels, cleaning sprays, vacuum, mop, etc. Use the right thing to do the job; it'll be quicker, more effective and easier on you. There is nothing like getting on with it, so here is how to get going:   Put things away. Sort out all the stuff on the floor and in places where it doesn't belong. Also, if you don't want it anymore, donate or ditch it. Put all of your clothes on your bed, then sort from this level. It's much easier than from the floor and various other pieces of furniture around the room. Dirty clothes go straight into the laundry washing basket. Spray and clean surfaces and windows. Vacuum and/or mop floors. Begin cleaning your bed as it takes up a large area of your room it will automatically make your room look much cleaner than before!


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Build a support network. Talk to a registered dietitian and a licensed therapist. Write out a list of self-soothing activities. Meditate. Stock your pantry, refrigerator and freezer with healthy foods. Prepare new recipes. Recreate your fast food favorites at home.

Answer: Any change in diet can be difficult - especially if you're giving up a habit that feels like food addiction.  Having a support group can help motivate you and encourage you as you make difficult changes.  Studies have shown that many people stick with positive changes longer if they have a support group.  Ask family members, friends or coworkers to support you.  In addition, you can see if anyone would like to join you on your journey to give up fast food. Research online support groups and forums that you can log on throughout the day.  It's a great way to have support at any time of the day. These health and nutrition experts can play a key role in helping you understand and overcome your fast food habit. They have the training to help you drop the fast food habit, help you plan healthier meals in addition to giving you coping mechanisms to deal with your food addiction.  Ask a dietitian for help with meal planning, cooking skills or basic nutrition knowledge so that you have the skills necessary to drop your fast food habit. Discuss with a licensed therapist about your food addiction and any emotional eating issues that have come up. Check with your primary care or another doctor for a referral to a registered dietitian or licensed therapist. They may know or work with someone locally. Check out EatRight.org and use the "Find an Expert" button to search for dietitians in your local area. When you're stressed or a fast food craving hits hard, it's important to have a list of activities that you can do to distract yourself and calm down.  Have these handy when a craving hits.  Try engaging in mentally and physically active things.  For example:  taking a walk, cleaning out your junk drawer, calling a friend or family member, keeping a journal or reading a good book. Sleeping longer or getting lost in TV may not make you feel better.  You're not addressing the issue at hand.  Instead, it's being ignored or slept through.  Try to stay away from drinking alcoholic beverages.  Drinking alcohol is never an appropriate coping mechanism for addiction.  Write down your feelings.  Get that notebook or journal out and write down your feelings and how they are affecting your cravings or feelings of hunger. Keeping a journal can help you clearly identify your situation and make the difference between emotional eating and physical hunger.  A journal can also act like a mental release allowing you to pour out all your emotions and feelings onto paper. Studies have shown that even a few minutes of meditation can calm your mind, help you feel more centered and assist you in overcoming addiction.  This can be an easy way to help ease your mind.  Start with just 5 to 10 minutes a day - especially if you've never tried meditation before. Check online for free audio guided meditations.  These can help you ease yourself into meditation by following the gentle commands of a guide. Try active meditation which allows you to focus on a small object - a stone, a fruit or a jewel.  This can help give your mind some occupation while you try to stay in the present. Always keep a stock of healthy items at home. This will allow you to cook nutritious meals without having to stop at the store on your way home.  Having a well-stocked home may help alleviate the stress around cooking or getting a meal on the table.  You'll already be prepared with the basics of a meal. Pantry staples can include beans, canned vegetables with no salt added, canned fish, whole grains (like brown rice or whole wheat pasta) and nuts. Freezer staples can include frozen protein (like chicken or fish), frozen vegetables and fruit, frozen cooked whole grains (like brown rice or quinoa) and low-calorie frozen meals (for a night that cooking isn't an option). Refrigerator staples can include washed and cut fruits and vegetables, low-fat dressings and sauces, eggs, low-fat yogurt and cheese and cooked proteins (like grilled chicken breasts). Whether you're in a recipe rut or need some help coming up with healthy meals, trying new recipes is a great way to explore a variety of different healthy foods. Try one or two new recipes each week.  Need recipe ideas? Try purchasing a healthy eating cookbook, looking up healthy eating blogs online or asking friends or family for new recipes to try. If you're short on time, search for recipes that require minimal cooking and preparation.  Many times, you can just assemble your meal instead of preparing everything from scratch. Burgers and fries or chicken nuggets are delicious - that's why it's hard to break a fast food habit.  Try making your favorites at home with healthier cooking techniques.  This will help you to "indulge" but with a much healthier option.  If you love fries, try baking them at home.  Sliced sweet potatoes also make a great french fry alternative.  Plus they have a lot of vitamins and minerals!  Bread chicken with crushed cornflakes or crackers and bake for a crunchy, low-calorie version of fried chicken or chicken nuggets. Research some recipes online for your favorites. You'll find some great ideas and a variety of recipes for healthier versions of common fast food meals. Try searching for "fast food swaps" to find healthier substitutes for your favorite fast food options.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Put on some comfy clothes and read. Curl up and watch an engaging movie.  Try meditating Consider your goals. Practice some self love.

Answer:
Get into your comfiest pajamas and wrap yourself in your softest robe. Sit in your favorite chair and pick up that book you’ve been halfway through for the last three months and finally let yourself relax and read. If books aren’t really your thing, pick up your favorite magazine, newspaper, or blog and catch up on some lit. When pampering yourself, you don’t have to ask anyone’s opinion on what to watch, or argue with anyone about your pick. Instead, watch the movie you’ve been wanting to watch for ages that keeps getting vetoed by your partner or family. Watch a chick-flick without guilt, or a documentary without being afraid you’re going to bore your friends. This day is all about you after all. . Meditation is about releasing your worries and allowing yourself to mentally decompress. Find a quiet, calm place, sit down, and close your eyes. Focus on your breathing and let your worries float away from you. If meditating isn’t really working, practice some  breathing exercises. These can help you to release the tension that has built up in your body and will help you to destress. Thinking about the things that you are really passionate about can often get swept aside in the madness of the present. When pampering yourself, set aside sometime to consider your life and what you hope to attain. Create a bucket list, or revisit a past bucket list that you made and consider how your goals have changed (if, indeed, they have). Look in the mirror and list everything about yourself that you love. Tell yourself that you are amazing, and that you deserve to be loved. Think of the things you have accomplished, and the experiences you have had. At the same time, consider the things you would like to improve, without thinking negatively about those things. For example, instead of thinking ‘I suck at managing my time”, tell yourself, “I am going to work harder to manage my time well”, and go buy yourself a fantastic organizer.