Economic instability is frightening and often has a domino effect on mental health. It may lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, diminished self-esteem, or even impair your immune system. Stress caused by financial distress can take an emotional toll on individuals and all family members. Be alert to indicators that your emotional well-being is at risk. Signs may include:

*Difficulty functioning (at work, school, home)
*Increased aches and pains
*Excessive anxiety (obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, fear, being keyed up or panicked)
*Hopelessness or despair
*Persistent feeling of sadness, crying
*Lack of motivation, feelings of apathy, low energy level, fatigue
*Sleep disturbance (sleeping too much or too little)
*Increased irritability or anger (having a “short fuse” or not being able to control temper)
*Appetite disturbance (eating too much or not enough)
*Increased alcohol consumption, overuse of prescription medication or illicit drug abuse
*Concentration problems and difficulty making decisions
*Thoughts of suicide. (Special note on suicide: If you or someone you know is so distraught that suicide is considered an option, please seek help immediately. Contact your healthcare provider, mental health crisis center, hospital emergency room, 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for help).

Getting Help

It’s important to enlist all of the help you can during a tough time. When problems seem insurmountable, seek assistance. There are many services that can provide you with help. Call your healthcare provider, get help from a professional counselor or clergy member, connect with family and friends, religious organizations, community health clinic, join a networking group, or government agencies. Listed below are a few resources that may be of help:

Online access to statewide and federal resources

Tips to help you deal with your emotional well-being during tough times

*Stay positive and know that you will make it.
*Panic is unhelpful. Be realistic about your situation. Refrain from exaggerating or putting your head in the sand. Analyze where you are in a calm, logical manner.
*Remember that no matter how dire the situation, there is help.
*Develop a plan of action and break it into “doable” pieces.
*Make a list of your options. Include everything even if it’s not the most appealing. Having options and choices will help.
*Look at your transferable skills.
*Take pride in the experience and education you have.
*Stay open to different ideas, possibilities and opportunities. Learn new skills. As difficult as it may seem, try to see this as an opportunity. This is a chance to figure out what you’re passionate about.
*Seek out support wherever possible.
*Be creative.
*Volunteer your time in an organization where you can make contacts or learn a new skill.
*Turn off the television, computer, cell phone. Steer clear of dour financial news.
*Spend time in nature.
*Take extremely good care of your physical self. Eat right. Get physical. Get enough sleep.
*When you feel yourself getting anxious, have a plan ready. Call a friend. Take a walk. Pray or meditate. Always keep a list of stress relievers at hand.
*Refrain from complaining.
*Train yourself to stop negative thoughts. Practice being aware of what is going on in your mind.
*Say “NO” to demands or requests you do not want to take on.
*Make a list of positives about the situation no matter how small or ridiculous they may seem.
*Take up yoga.
*Enlist the help of family and friends.
*Develop a mantra to keep you calm. Use positive affirmations.
*Help a family member or friend.
*Make a running list of all of the things for which you are grateful.
*Visualize your life exactly the way you want it to be.
*Talk to people who have made it through tough economic times.
*Make friends with older people who have a good perspective.
*Stay away from negative people.
*Be kind to yourself.
*Play music that you love.
*Talk to your funniest friend or family member.
*Never berate yourself.
*Learn how to breathe.
*Spend time in nature.
*Volunteer in an organization that will keep you focused on how fortunate you really are.
*Strengthen ties with your family while you aren’t working.
*If you are unemployed, take this as an opportunity to finish projects around the house.
*Read books about people and groups that have made it through struggles.
*Rent a great movie.
*Go to the library.
*Keep things in perspective, and remember our standard of living is beyond comprehension to many people in other countries.
*See humor in things.
*Practice relaxation.
*Switch to decaf.
*Live in the moment. Refuse to worry about the future or past because they don’t exist.
*Take a warm bath and a nap.
*Stretch your muscles often.
*Simplify your life.
*Make a gratitude journal and make notes in it everyday.
*Spend time with someone who makes you feel better.
*Understand that this too shall pass.
*Be aware of your thought patterns. Stop negative cognitions and replace them with hopeful, positive thoughts.
*Spend sometime by (or in) the water.
*Remember that doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity (according to Einstein and who’s going to argue with Einstein?). So, do something different.
*Get professional help. If you are struggling, do not wait. Seek counseling as soon as possible. Your emotional well-being is of utmost importance during stressful times.

This too shall pass