According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of long-term unemployed hasn’t decreased; it continues to be unchanged. In June, 6.8 million people have been jobless for more than 27 weeks (over 6 months). Looking for a job is a stressful experience, and searching for over a year and a half for an opportunity can definitely take a toll on anyone’s motivation. It’s especially discouraging when you don’t receive any feedback, good or bad, from sending out tons of resumes and applications.

In 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow proposed a theory on human motivation. I think his proposal on the psychological hierarchy of human needs can be used to address the stress that is associated with the job search process. Inspired by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, I came up with some ways to help you stay motivated during your job search.

1. Physiological Needs

When you’re not working anymore, it’s easy to let go of your daily routines. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with looking for a new job. Create a new routine for yourself regarding your job search. Start treating your search process as a job. It’s also important to set time in your schedule to do things that you enjoy, so that you’re not consuming yourself with your job hunt.

2. Safety Needs

These needs can include your health and mental well-being. When some people are stressed out, they will neglect certain things in their life to meet those demands, such as not sleeping enough hours, not eating healthy and not exercising. Take some time to take care of your physical health. Research shows that exercising can help reduce stress and anxiety, even short sessions of exercising. Taking a short walk outside can even help to decrease the stress you’re experiencing.

3. Love/Belonging Needs

During stressful times, it’s easy to isolate yourself from others. Sometimes you can feel you’re the only one going through your situation and don’t want to burden anyone with your worries. One of our human needs is to feel a sense of belongingness and acceptance. Therefore, it’s important that you make an effort to connect with your support system, whether it’s spending some time with your spouse, family members or friends. Also, think about joining a group or club in your community that fosters activities that you enjoy. This can help you deal with the stress associated with isolation.

4. Esteem Needs

It can be discouraging when you don’t see results from all your efforts. Keep up your self-esteem by setting goals regarding your job search process and celebrating your achievements. Set goals that are valuable to you, and let your support system know what you’re working towards. When you reach that goal take some time to tell your support system, and do something that you find rewarding to acknowledge your achievement.

5. Self-actualization Needs

Take some time to learn a new skill or foster your creative side by taking on a new hobby. By doing these types of things, you can increase your feelings of self-worth and personal growth. This can help you feel you’re gaining something positive in your life. Also, these new skills can be listed on a resume and show that you were still active in your profession even though you were unemployed.

Addressing these 5 needs can help you deal with the stress associated with the job search process. During long periods of unemployment, it’s easy to put everyone else’s needs before your own. You might have a family you need to take care of or other people who are dependent on you, but it’s also important that you address your own personal needs. If not, you can end up in a cycle where you feel completely overwhelmed and stressed out. Taking care of our human needs can give us the motivation we need.