It’s a tough time for the American workforce.
Earlier this month, Nestle announced 16,000 job cuts, followed last week by Target’s first layoffs in a decade, which eliminated 1,800 roles. The trend intensified this week when Amazon said it would lay off 14,000 employees—a figure Reuters reports could ultimately hit 30,000 workers. All of this is occurring as the country nears its second month of a government shutdown.
Whether you’ve been directly impacted or are just worried about the future, it’s a stressful time. But it’s in times like these that experts say it is especially important to take care of your physical, mental and emotional health.
Atlanta-based behavioral wealth specialist Wendell Clarke helps his clients with financial planning, including risk management in times of uncertainty. Here’s what he recommends doing to keep calm.
3 tips for navigating a stressful time1. Take some time to process and understand your feelings
First, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re feeling and why.
Clarke suggests asking yourself some questions that can help get to the root cause of your stress and anxiety. “What is the source of this?” he says. “Is this fear of not having enough? Is this anxiety about how things are going to go with regards to the government?”
Uncertainty can drive people to coping mechanisms like retail therapy and even drinking, he says.
A rational assessment of what’s happening and how you’re feeling can help ensure that how you respond is rational as well.
2. Don’t try to go it alone
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by fear and anxiety, lean on your support system.
“That could be a therapist, a friend, a pastor,” Clarke says. “If a person finds themselves overwhelmed, they should not suffer in silence.”
Identify the people you trust and then share what you’re going through with them. Even if you’re not ready to divulge everything, the simple act of being with people will have an impact.
“Spending times with others when we’re going through hardships helps us cope,” he says.
3. Take care of yourself
Finally, when the state of the world is stressing you out, you must take care of your body.
Adrenaline from stress can make it hard to sleep and high anxiety can make it hard to eat right, Clarke says.
Prioritize “getting enough sleep,” he says. “Make sure you are drinking sufficient water, exercising, [and] are spending time out in sunlight.”
All of these things can help ensure that you’re consistently protecting your health, no matter how you’re feeling on a given day.
“If we neglect ourselves, we’re doing ourselves no favors,” Clarke says.
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