Laid Off? The 8 Healthiest Ways to Spend Your Time

The upside to unemployment?

If you've recently been handed a pink slip, you likely have a lot of free time on your hands. Once you've got your severance package and health insurance in order, you can use your unemployment to focus on your health—something that can save you a lot of cash in the long run.

With the unemployment rate at a 16-year high, it's important to stay optimistic, says Kenneth Robbins, MD, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. And keeping up a routine can help: That means waking up and going to bed at the same time every day, making time for exercise and personal improvement, and connecting with others. From setting new fitness goals to whipping up comfort food recipes, here are eight ways to stay healthy while you're out of work.

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