It’s the Economy, Scared?

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that sometimes “money costs too much.” If you haven’t felt the cost of the economic crunch lately, then you probably know someone who has. I don’t need to go into detail about how bad things are; we hear about it constantly.

Still, think for a moment about how you’ve been handling the stress and anxiety that all of us feel right now. Have you been eating or drinking more? Or perhaps exercising less? If you’re worried about your job or don’t have one, then maybe this has become an identity crisis. It’s really easy to get carried away with worry and to cope with it in unhealthy ways.

There are some simple and relatively easy things you can do to begin to manage your emotions about the economy. It’s important to develop a method of de-stressing. Exercise, even just a 30-minute walk, is the best way of doing this. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and pay attention to what you’re eating. Avoid watching lots of TV about the economic crisis, since you’ll probably only feel worse when you do.

Talk with your friends and family for support; many of them are feeling just like you are. I’ve heard several financial experts recommend not opening your investment statements. That’s a great idea for your mental health right now. Do take some time to plan for the future. Having a plan will help you feel more in control.

Lastly, if you feel more than mild levels of anxiety or stress, if you feel hopeless or panicky, then it’s a good idea to seek professional help. Many organizations, such as PC&CC, offer a sliding scale so that treatment can be affordable for those people who need help. History tells us that this, too, shall pass. We’ll get through it together.