The economic news seems to get worse and worse.
For the past several years Americans have lived through high unemployment, a credit crunch, foreclosures, and falling wages. With our grim financial outlook and harsh economic climate, emergency room visits for stress related ailments are up, more than ever people need antidepressants, and consumer confidence is close to an all-time low.
Nostradamos predicted the end of the world--and while the world is still here, the economic crisis feels epic and catastrophic.
What can people do to combat all of the feelings engendered by a weak economy and faltering global outlook, with no ready solutions in sight? How can individuals relax, given all of this sturm und drang? What follows are some strategies to reduce our emotional burdens---and though none provide a means to address complex and difficult social ills like unemployment and foreclosures, making attempts at stress reduction might help improve our quality of life--or at least provide a way to get through the day:
1. Try to accept what you cannot change:
Addressing anxiety sometimes involves ceding control. Do not ruminate over things you cannot change, such as the direction of the Dow Jones and the volatility of the stock market. Thinking about and watching the ticker over and over won't help; in fact, it will just make you more worried.
2. Turn off the TV:
Constant monitoring of television shows and websites does more harm than good and increases stress and anxiety levels.
3. Relax (and yes, this advice sounds trite):
While yoga and meditation are certainly not a cure for unemployment or foreclosure, they do serve to improve mood and reduce stress, and might provide a lift during hard times.
4. Generate some endorphins: If yoga is not for you, participate in another form of physical activity; take a walk or ride a bike. If you can't get out, stretch at your desk or do calisthenics in the living room.
5. When all else fails, try to create a distraction. Not a police chase, action movie kind of distraction, but a mental one. Try visualization exercises like the following: imagine your mind as a television with many channels (and I just said turn off the TV!). Pretend you have been tuned to the financial channel, and then change the station to, say, the vacation, sports or the gardening channel--whatever feels relaxing, and pleasurable. In other words, think about something other than the Great Recession. Hint: Scenarios and images should be tranquil and should not include anything involving terrorism, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires, or recent political rallies or speeches.
6. Rely on those close to you: Contact with family and friends can reduce overwhelming feelings.
Anyone experiencing significant emotional distress could benefit from speaking with a professional therapist, of course. www.apsa.org has lists of highly qualified clinicians throughout the United States who can help with stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional difficulties that arise in reaction to living in such uncertain times.
While none of these strategies represents a panacea, taking small measures might provide some relief, which may be all we have right now.
