Financial Stress and How to Cope

How to Survive Uncertainty

Many of us, especially with the recent current event of COVID-19, have been placed in uncharted territory. What this implies is that many have been laid off, placed on furlough, or worse, have simply resigned due to extenuating circumstances. In my case, the pandemic has created an environment of chaos, causing unruly and psychotic behavior amongst otherwise tolerable coworkers. The whole gamut is included here: difficulty concentrating, suspiciousness, and outright anxiety. This has created a very hostile work environment, aggravating any preexisting stressors due to the public health crisis. Out of an effort to mitigate questionable conduct from escalating further, my resignation went in immediately, without a two weeks notice. Despite the sudden decision that was made, an email to my boss with a resignation letter went in the week before, but his ability to negotiate my stay at the job curtailed the letter, at least temporarily. Thankfully, with the onset of more pressing events such as coworker mistreatment, harassment, and unfair arbitration, it was more than the right time to act upon my initial decision without going back. Needless to say, my full time salary was no longer dependable in this time of crisis. The reality of cutbacks on finances in addition to battling an invisible enemy made matters worse, at least mentally so. Now on to the more important aspect, how do we deal with economic stress, or any stress for that matter?

Here are some ways to help navigate tough times:

1) Keep your thoughts in the moment: as tempting as it may be to fixate them on the future or past, simply accept what has already happened and do not anticipate what is to come.

2) Have a routine of waking up and going to bed at a fixed schedule: As much as we'd like to sleep in and stay up late at our discretion, it's best to maintain a productive schedule that can allow us to easily adapt once we do get back to a regular work schedule (which we will because this is only temporary).

3) Limit your intake of foods that do more harm than good: During times of stress, it is tempting to reach for more baked goods and sweets, but now more than ever, our bodies need nutrient-dense foods. Some options include: kale, berries, spinach, cardamom, unsweetened almond milk, brown rice, and dark chocolate (preferably in the morning).

4) Focus on what you can control, such as your breathe and your thoughts: Although you may not be able to return to a stable source of income, do not let that deter you from the simple act of living in the moment and training your mind to understand the transient nature of current events.

5) Now more than ever, adopt an exercise routine: There are many videos that abound over the internet, allowing you to gain access to a wide array of physical activity such as yoga, pilates, and HIIT routines. They are convenient without requiring too much equipment and will get you to break a sweat without a doubt. Physical activity is a great way to equilibrate your brain chemistry, allowing your body to ward off depression and anxiety along with the novel virus circulating around us.

6) Most of all, keep yourself distracted but productive: What this means is that now more than ever is the time to start brainstorming on how to start that gardening project over for the summer, or how to start learning a foreign language to improve your career prospects. Stay tuned for the moment when the recession lifts and you are able to market yourself to a greater degree.

Most of all: be patient. Nothing lasts forever my friend.