I have been through some very tough times in the past and I can't say that I took the advice that I am dispensing right now - but I certainly wish I would have.

Tips for dealing with potential unemployment.

1. Find a support network. Could be friends at church, other volunteers at the soup kitchen, AA, book club, or networking groups.

2. Get one-on-one counseling of some kind. Priest, minister, life coach, or, if you still have insurance, a therapist. If you don't have insurance you might find out if you can negotiate a lower fee or barter services with a therapist. Believe me, it is worth it to have an impartial sounding board to help you find healthy ways to cope when times are hard.

3. Rely on friends/family for emotional support but don't overburden them. If you confuse your friends with therapists you may exhaust your friends and stress your relationships when you need them most.

4. Exercise. Try to get at least a little exercise every day whether its a walk around the block, a yoga class, or a 5 mile run. It will keep your body and mind in peak condition.

5. Eat healthy foods. Try to resist the urge to drown your sorrows in a carton of ice cream, a bag of chips, or a bottle of vodka. Good nutrition and exercise will keep you in peak condition to deal with trying times. I just started reading a book called the Engine 2 Diet which touts the virtues of a plant-based diet. One big benefit is that it's inexpensive so if you are looking to cut costs eating more vegetables is a good way to go. Also, a plant based diet reduces cholesterol and significantly reduces the risk of many serious diseases which, if you are unemployed, is a big deal. It's something to think about. (There is also an Engine 2 Diet website with (I think) some free recipes if you are interested.)

6. Focus on the positive. Force yourself to find one thing to be happy about every day so that you don't start seeing the world as a dark and overwhelming place. Maybe a beautiful sunrise, your spouse, your kids, your dog, good health, or whatever. Be grateful for something - it will help you stay positive.

Following are some tactical ideas for preparing for potential or current unemployment and all the tangential issues that go along with it.

Are you worried about being laid off? Have you been laid off? Are you concerned about paying your mortgage or are you facing foreclosure? Create an action plan so that you are prepared if the worst happens. Following are a few items I recommend adding to the list:

Update your resume If you need assistance with your resume contact a resume writer. If you can't afford the fee, negotiate or offer to barter services. I can't speak for all resume writers but many of us understand these difficult times and want to help as much as we can.

Learn to use the internet to search for potential jobs and companies that are hiring. Linked In, Google, Ask, Indeed, and Facebook are all great online resources that you can use to source jobs and information about companies that may be hiring. Jason Alba is expert on this topic. Check out his blog.

Activate your network - Let people know you are looking for a new job.
Think about the job you will seek if you are laid off - be specific or you may not get the help from your network that you want. People are more supportive if you help them to understand exactly what you are looking for because they have less work to do to help you.

Save money - even if you are in debt up to your eyeballs you have to find a few dollars you can stash away. Cut back on non-essentials so you have cash on hand.

Contact your creditors in advance - talk to your banker, credit card companies, and student loan companies BEFORE you are in crisis. They want to get paid and may be willing to work with you rather than have you default on loans. Resource: Ilyce Glink, the real estate expert, has many inexpensive books and ebooks available in her online store that address everything from how to save extra money, how to deal with creditors, and how to prepare for foreclosure. If you have financial problems you NEED to know Ilyce. Click here to go to her online store.

Create a list of emergency resources in case you are laid off and you can't find a job before your cash runs out - food banks, Bishop's Pantry, shelters, churches, or find out if you can move in with family or friends in an emergency. It's better to plan for the worst and have things turn out OK than the other way around.

Find creative ways to earn extra cash. Babysitting, pet sitting, dog walking, washing cars, cleaning homes, mowing lawns, or selling stuff on ebay. There are so many things people do to earn extra cash. Start getting creative and thinking about what skills you have that someone else might pay for. You can advertise by posting flyers in public locations, advertising in your HOA newsletter, word of mouth, or on your blog (see next tip).

Start a blog. You can set up a blog for free at www.blogger.com and it can be a great way to release some tension, showcase your writing skills, or to create an online brand for yourself. Many people have started blogs while unemployed and used the blog to increase their exposure and get a new job. Be careful of what you write though. No trashing your old employer or using foul language. Once you put something on the internet it's there forever for all to see and judge so blog wisely.

Plan for your Pets - Let me just say that my pets are my babies and I am a huge supporter of animal rescue organizations. If you are concerned about losing your home or apartment and you don't feel you can keep your pets please contact local rescue organizations in advance so you can plan for their temporary care or adoption if you think it might be necessary. I have listed a couple or rescue websites below but all you need to do is to go to google.com and type in your pet type, location, and the term "rescue organization" and you will find local rescue groups who can help you. People who abandon pets when they hit hard times are, in my opinion, the lowest of the low. There is no excuse for abandoning pets who love and count on you. Plan for their future if you are worried about yours.

Article by Liz Handlin and courtesy of Ultimate Resumes