Dow Got You Down?

The Economy and Stress

The current economic situation is stressful for almost everyone.  Some examples:

• Many have lost their jobs, are worried about paying their bills, or already have been unable to pay these bills.  They may feel that the outlook for finding a new job has gotten worse. Those who still have their jobs may be suffering reduced hours, pay cuts, reduced benefits, or increased workloads to compensate for other terminations.
  
  
• Those nearing retirement may no longer be able to retire.  Pensions, college funds, and other savings accounts have taken a beating.  Even the wealthy are struggling with large sudden changes in financial outlook. 
  
  
• Stay-at-home moms may feel pressure to go to work, and adult children may be moving back home.  And home budgets have tightened, making it harder to accommodate these changes.
  
  
  These events are incredibly stressful. Stress is a physical, mental, or emotional response to events that causes bodily or mental tension. Simply put, stress is any outside force or event that has an effect on our body or mind. Our bodies respond to stress automatically by increasing blood pressure, heart rate respiration, metabolism and blood flow to muscles.  We worry, lose sleep, begin eating poorly, and become more prone to illness.  We become irritable, more likely to argue with others we care about, less patient and less empathic of those around us in need. Stress may trigger or exacerbate clinical anxiety, depression or other mental disorders, and it may trigger episodes of illness for those with biological based mental illnesses such as Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia. 
  
  The bottom line is that the current economic crisis can cause stress that in turn can threaten your health and well being, regardless of who you are or your socio-economic status.  It is a great equalizer.
  
  While many of us have little control over when this economy will turn around, we can control how we cope with stress.
  
  First, recognize that the economic situation and the psychological impact it is having on you is REAL and IMPORTANT, regardless of who you are and your previous financial status.   Keep in mind that feeling stressed, anxious, and even depressed right now is NORMAL.
  
  Then, do a self-assessment.  Have you been sleeping more, eating more junk food, drinking more alcohol or using drugs to cope and for quick relief?  Have you lost your routine, been exercising less, stopped cleaning the house? Have you stopped socializing as much with friends and family?  Take some time to think about how you are feeling right now and how you have changed your behavior and your routines in response.  Sometimes it is hard to judge this ourselves- ask your close friends or family members what they have noticed. 
  
  Now comes the most important step:  Take care of yourself, both your mind and your body.  There are many things people can do to successfully cope with stress, to make sure that a stressful situation doesn't get worse.  You can be stressed and cope with it without becoming clinically depressed or falling apart completely.
  
  Different things work for different people.  Try different things and see what works for you.  Here are some general tips we have assembled:
  
  
• Stay active.  Exercise, dance, walk.  Visit friends.  Finish old projects.  Keep looking for jobs.  Any activity is better than doing nothing.  Keep moving - sometimes the movement toward a goal itself is as important as the goal.
  
  
• Spend time with supportive and caring people. Spend time with those you care about most, and talk to them about how you feel. Reach out and make new friends, or contact someone you haven't heard from in a while.
  
  
• Try to relax (but don't try too hard).  Ask your partner for a back rub.  Read a good book (not the newspaper!). Have a warm cup of tea or hot chocolate. Go for a walk. Play a game. Spend time with children.
  
  
• Keep expectations manageable. Try to set realistic goals for yourself. Pace yourself. Organize your time. Make a list and prioritize the important activities. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Activities can be spread out to lessen stress and increase enjoyment.
  
  
• Remember that feeling stressed, anxious and depressed is normal; there is room for these feelings to be present, even if you choose not to express them.
  
  
• Leave the past in the past and look toward the future, one day at a time. Life brings changes. Don't set yourself up in comparing today with the "good ol' days." Instead, compare today with yesterday, and try to make today better.
  
  
• Do something for someone else. Try volunteering some of your time to help others.
  
  
• Enjoy activities that are free, such as going window shopping or making a snowperson with children.
  
  
• Be aware of excessive drinking and other things you may be doing to feel better in the short term that will hurt you in the long term.
  
  
• Try something new. Be adventurous.
  
  
• Try to avoid the temptation of paying for all of your purchases with a credit card when you do not have the money to pay it in total. Avoid thinking that you’ll just "pay it off later." If you cannot afford a particular item, look for something similar but less expensive.
  
  
• Ask for help.  Ask those close to you for help, and ask professionals too. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling, and consider seeing a psychologist or psychotherapist, who have lots of proven techniques for helping out with stress, anxiety and depression.
  
  
  These times are hard for everyone.  And while we do not want to deny or minimize how hard they are, acknowledging stress and hard times does not mean defeat or resignation.  It just means it is more important than ever to stay focused on what matters.  We may get through, and even transcend, tough times if we respond to these times with caring and compassion and do all we can to help ourselves and those around us.
  

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