How to schedule your day for maximum productivity when you're unemployed

Since we know shower-time often becomes self-reflection time, use this cool-off period to ponder what you want to do going forward.

Deepak Chopra advises leaning into the uncertainty of life and allowing it to open new doors, while other experts suggest considering your strengths, likes and dislikes, and what kind of work environment excites you most.

Various research suggests eating within an hour of waking boosts your mood and mind, and exposure to natural light in the morning tells your body to stop producing melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy. Light is also a natural antidepressant. Try taking your morning meal outside, or at the very least near a window so you can soak up some natural rays.

It's always best to tackle the hardest task — in this case, applying to jobs — first thing each day.

Before you start, make sure your résumé is up to date. Then, search for and apply to jobs.

Write a cover letter individualized for each job, being sure to include the job details, show your value, infuse some of your personality, use specific words and phrases from the job description, and only include relevant information.

Take an hour-long lunch break — you've earned it. If you want to watch a little TV while you break, go for it, though a walk in the park might be nicer. Keep your food light to maintain your energy levels.

If you're not earning an income and don't have rainy-day funds to fall back on, things can get tight very quickly. Spend an hour each day applying for jobs that can hold you over while you look for something more sustainable, or use that time to focus on hiring out your skills or creating passive income.

There are plenty of online resources for learning new or brushing up on old skills that could help set you apart from the competition.

Scour platforms like Coursera for free online courses in fields that interest you or that could potentially help you in your career and spend around an hour each day on lessons and coursework, depending on the course load.

Networking is an important step in finding a job. Use this time to email contacts you might have in the industry, set up and attend coffee meetings, and follow up with contacts.

Volunteering isn't just a great way to boost your spirits; it can also help you network, gain experience, and add something special to your résumé.

After a day's hard work, keeping in touch with family and friends is important for maintaining anyone's sanity. And, you never know — your close contacts might also prove helpful in your job search.