Applying to jobs and internships can often feel like its own job with an endless cycle: Search for job leads, craft a resume and cover letter, fill out the application, attach the documents, wait to hear back and repeat. According to zety.com, employers spend about six seconds looking at your resume, and only one in six candidates for a job will get an interview. In heavy job searching seasons, some applicants submit over 200 applications just to get a handful of interviews and a potential offer. While one application may only take one hour to complete, those hours add up!

When applying for jobs while balancing student responsibilities with relationships, part-time jobs and caring for family, you may find you have little time for self care. Let’s explore some easy self-care strategies to implement during your job search process. Below are some of the most common techniques.

Seek Encouragement

Days of applications and countless rejections can sometimes cause us to develop “job search depression,” according to the New York Times. To help encourage you during the job search process, try meditating on verses from scripture such as Phil. 4:13, Luke 1:37 or Psalm 31:24. Reaching out to a friend or family member for support, listening to positive songs, or following positive social media outlets such as @happsters, @positivelysparkly or @appsoulspace can also be sources of encouragement. If you’re looking for additional support, consider making an appointment with a Career Specialist at Biola’s Career Center for some expert advice.

Practice Calmness

Stress is a common factor during job applications. Calming oneself through meditation and mindfulness can help alleviate stress. Consider downloading an app such as Calm or Headspace to practice this. Another helpful practice is breath prayer, which is a short prayer that can be said in one breath. An example of a breath prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Take a break

Whether you’re working on one long application or trying to apply to many jobs in a day, it’s important to take small breaks. Eat a snack, go outside, stretch or, watch a short video or just scroll through social media. Give yourself a few minutes to breathe before jumping back into the application.

Celebrate

Applying for jobs is no easy task, and it is important to recognize your achievement. After an application session, take a break to go watch a favorite movie or TV show, play a game or eat something you love. Try going outside or blasting your favorite music and dancing – whatever helps you celebrate. Celebrating your accomplishment will help motivate you to keep going.

Self care is essential during the job application process. If you care for yourself, you will be able to apply more efficiently, avoid burnout and, most importantly, remember that you are not defined by your job. While you will have to apply to many jobs throughout your career journey, finding a rhythm in the process and caring for yourself are essential.

Ryan Dea is a Career Specialist in Career Development, specializing in the Arts and Entertainment industries.