Anxious Times
Excerpt from Anxious Times
Spring 2009 issue of esperanza.
Victoria Maxwell is a speaker and educator whose humor-laced presentations advocate for those with mental health disorders. Maxwell knows what she’s talking about: the Half Moon Bay, British Columbia, resident is herself diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.
Not surprisingly, Maxwell is definitely more anxious since the economy started tanking. And because she’s aware that her conditions—she also has bipolar disorder and a “little bit of psychosis”—form a perfect “petri dish” that could grow out of control, she monitors her mental temperature and sticks to her doctor’s advice. “It makes me more vigilant—makes me do everything that makes me well,” she says.
Although Maxwell keeps her guard up, it’s almost impossible to ignore the economic news or its potential effects on our mental health. Put the word “economy” into an Internet news search engine and you’ll be barraged with hits—the vast majority of them stories of doom and gloom.
Automobile companies facing shutdowns, thousands losing jobs, banks failing, taxpayer-financed bailouts, retirement savings turned to dust, and stores closing or entering bankruptcy combine to scare the pants off the average consumer. For someone diagnosed with a mood disorder, the fallout from the constant updates of economic woes, the confirmation of a recession, and hints at a possible depression can be especially tough.
Nanaimo, British Columbia, psychologist Raymond Shred says we should view news reports with a healthy suspicion. He points to the media tendency to saturate us with the most sensational stories while ignoring those with much greater human impact. Immersing ourselves in the news, especially the news circulating on 24/7 channels, can only make things worse for us. Instead, Shred suggests looking past headlines and keeping a long-term view in perspective. “The world economy is in trouble,” he says, “but we’ve been through this before and will weather it again. It will even out eventually…” [ end of excerpt ]
INVEST IN YOURSELF
Staying emotionally level during trying economic times isn’t any different from the day-to-day management strategies you already practice. To that end:
In addition to healthy living, here are a few strategies for keeping your mood up during the recession:
Excerpt from Anxious Times
Spring 2009 issue of esperanza.
Victoria Maxwell is a speaker and educator whose humor-laced presentations advocate for those with mental health disorders. Maxwell knows what she’s talking about: the Half Moon Bay, British Columbia, resident is herself diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.
Not surprisingly, Maxwell is definitely more anxious since the economy started tanking. And because she’s aware that her conditions—she also has bipolar disorder and a “little bit of psychosis”—form a perfect “petri dish” that could grow out of control, she monitors her mental temperature and sticks to her doctor’s advice. “It makes me more vigilant—makes me do everything that makes me well,” she says.
Although Maxwell keeps her guard up, it’s almost impossible to ignore the economic news or its potential effects on our mental health. Put the word “economy” into an Internet news search engine and you’ll be barraged with hits—the vast majority of them stories of doom and gloom.
Automobile companies facing shutdowns, thousands losing jobs, banks failing, taxpayer-financed bailouts, retirement savings turned to dust, and stores closing or entering bankruptcy combine to scare the pants off the average consumer. For someone diagnosed with a mood disorder, the fallout from the constant updates of economic woes, the confirmation of a recession, and hints at a possible depression can be especially tough.
Nanaimo, British Columbia, psychologist Raymond Shred says we should view news reports with a healthy suspicion. He points to the media tendency to saturate us with the most sensational stories while ignoring those with much greater human impact. Immersing ourselves in the news, especially the news circulating on 24/7 channels, can only make things worse for us. Instead, Shred suggests looking past headlines and keeping a long-term view in perspective. “The world economy is in trouble,” he says, “but we’ve been through this before and will weather it again. It will even out eventually…” [ end of excerpt ]
INVEST IN YOURSELF
Staying emotionally level during trying economic times isn’t any different from the day-to-day management strategies you already practice. To that end:
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Don’t skip meals, and trade out those chips and soft drinks for more nutritious fare, like carrot sticks and apples.
- Take a walk. Hit the gym. Jump into an exercise routine.
- Get More daylight. Sit in a sunlit corner and read a book. Even better: take that walk in the sunshine.
- Try yoga / meditation.
In addition to healthy living, here are a few strategies for keeping your mood up during the recession:
- Soothe your senses. Dow asks his patients to do one thing that soothes every one of their senses each week. For instance, take a warm bath or shower, watch the sunset, or light a scented candle.
- Adjust your attitude. Now’s an excellent time to assess your spending habits and look for places where you can cut back. Saving money will make you feel better and can result in fellowship. Watch a movie at home with friends or family, grill out instead of going to a restaurant, or attend a free local event instead of a pricey show.
- Volunteer. Research affirms tons of physical and psychological benefits come from helping others. You may find money tight, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t lend a hand.
- Be proactive rather than reactive. Dow encourages making a list of things that bring pleasure or purpose to your life. Do one thing from each column every day.
- Limit your exposure to the news—especially the 24/7 news channels, which rehash the same stories. Instead, focus on the good things in your life and take it one day at a time.
Last edited:
