Recession Stress: What can you do about it?
February 22nd, 2009
A GoodTherapy.org News Update Presented by Jolyn Wells-Moran, PhD, MSW
Address your stress reactions to the recession now, especially if you feel very stressed and have for days on end. That’s basically the advice of an article in the Chicago Tribune by reporter, Barbara Mahany. Psychotherapy and medications can help. The reporter interviewed a neuroscientist, a clinical psychologist, a clinical social worker, a rabbi-psychotherapist and an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences concerning the science of, and antidotes for, our recession stress. Also interviewed were a corporate communications executive and a scriptwriter-corporate freelance writer to discover how stress is effecting some people and how to successfully cope with it.
Neuroscience tells us that prolonged stress can cause changes in the brain and especially effect the cardiovascular and immune systems. It also tells us that the plasticity of the brain allows for some stress and there are ways we can become resilient, even under great stress. Taking care of yourself and enjoying your social network are general pieces of advice, but there’s depth to these easy-sounding maxims too: Eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep aren’t just casual recommendations, especially when under stress. Whether the stress results from something that has already happened, such as a lay-off or loss of a home, anticipation or uncertainty about such loss, or even losses of people you care about or your concern for the effects of the economic crisis on the broader population, stress can be damaging to mental and physical health.
Recognizing the stress you feel and its lack of helpfulness to anything or anyone, no matter where it comes from, are the first steps in fighting it. The mental health professionals interviewed said that anxiety, depression and shame can be part of this recession stress. The article provides several symptoms of stress to look for and how to think and act with the creativity and flexibility you’ll need – in addition to self-care and social support – to help you avoid the serious mental and physical issues that can result.
Distraction, planning a specific time to think about worries and developing a positive mantra are just a few ways to deal with anxiety. The article also recommends getting back to basics and aerobic types of exercise for depression. Problem-solving and participating in esteem-building activity are some of the suggested alternatives to shame. Taking a temporary job below your skill level, following a quest to discover what you most need and are interested in and listening to ideas about what you can do may expand your flexibility. Creativity can work for you if you’ll use your imagination to dream up another life for yourself, enjoy simpler pleasures and bring humor into your life.
If you feel stuck in recession stress, or in danger of it, seek out a good psychotherapist, counselor or life coach. Help from a professional can help you come up with a plan to put stress in its place by further managing it and increasing your resiliency – and then, sticking to your plan. If medication is needed, you might also find that helpful.
Bibliography
Mahany, B. Your emotional stimulus plan: If economic worries leave you anxious or depressed, you have the power to build a strong reserve of coping skills, Chicago Tribune. February 20, 2009, online source at http://www.fox4kc.com/lifestyle/health/sns-health-emotional-stimulus-plan,0,3772922.story?page=3
©Copyright 2009 by Jolyn Wells-Moran, PhD, MSW, therapist in Seattle, WA. All Rights Reserved.
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Comments
How does 1 pay for a professional life coach when providing food on the table is in question. America and the world is looking for a twig of hope. In times like this the only thing that counts is the relationship quotient we all have with our families, friends and society. Days to encash the PR cheque!!! Its difficult to smile and go fishing when there’s no money at all.
It is awfully hard to deal with recession stress when you have already lost your job and may be in danger of losing even more such as your house. This whole economic situation has helped me reaffirm my faith though. In some strange way I have made my peace with the fact that ultimately I am not in control of the multitudes of bad things that are happening all around me and that I have to turn it over to a Higher Power, for He alone knows what is best. If it sounds like I have also been through the 12 steps before you are right. And all of this has worked together in a very positive way to help me to deal with a lot of the current stress that I am now facing. And the serenity prayer continues to help me through every single day.
Ignoring the streeors only makes things worse. Face them head on and deal with them before they get too out of control.
I lost my job as a stock broker. I was doing yoga for the last 2 years. I am now a yoga teacher for kids in a neighbourhood school. It pays me quarter of what I used to learn. We have down sized everything. Our car, our food and just about everything including activities. We dont have parties anymore but we picnic instead. We dont have gym and club memberships anymore but we garden, trek and of course do yoga and other kinds of stuff. Definitely digging into your first line of support like family and close friends helps so much.
I agree that facing your worst nightmares head on works. I was losing my job and had no hope of getting another one. Telling people and your family atleast makes it easier to cope emotionally and financially. My church mates and our siblings saw us through 2 months of no pay and a friend of mine helped me get 2 jobs that pay the same as my last job. I am glad things have worked out. I dont look at the distant future but am happy with my today
I did just this. I lost my job and couldnt find a similar one for a while. I went to a neighbourhood self help counselling session for about a week and within 2 weeks I got myself 2 jobs and guess what, it pays 25% more than my previous one and I work much less.
I think no matter how much we try to ignore it, we eventually face the stress and learn to deal with it the best we can. It seems like everyone is having to downsize, do with a little less, and buy the off brand foods, just make ends meet. I know I have tried to limit as much as possible and I guess I am fortunate enough to still have a job, although nothing is set in stone.
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