How to keep economic crisis from turning personal

The stressful news on our economy calls for attention not only to your money but to your personal well-being. Stress is a monster that knows no limits and can demand control of you while you are awake and while you sleep. You may notice that your stress monster has become larger and more possessive during recent weeks.

Unfortunately, the increased stress quickly becomes the “new normal” as everyone around us is noting how stressful it is to think about opening the bills, lay-off notices, unemployed friends asking about jobs, rising costs everywhere we turn and the maddening collapse of Wall Street.

Pay attention to your stress. Do things to help yourself manage, eliminate and free yourself from it. Stress is hazardous to your health and you risk serious health complications.

Tips for stress management

Give yourself some time to do things that you enjoy that do not involve money. Bake a treat or walk the dog. Sit and watch the sunset or play cards. These are great ways to let yourself have some enjoyment. Make sure that you give yourself time each day to do something that gives you joy.

Breathe. It is a simple as that. Stop and take deep breaths. Go ahead and close your eyes and let yourself breathe deeply for three to five minutes several times a day.

Slow down. Stress can cast a spell around us making us think we should work harder, longer, faster. We wear ourselves out and become frustrated as we make mistakes and feel burdened by more and more to do. When we are under stress, we are in a marathon. This requires slowing down, pacing and focusing on the quality of our effort. Doing things well is far more satisfying.

Eat well and exercise. Step up your self-care to match your stress level. If you feel more stressed, increase your exercise and improve your eating habits.

Take advantage of opportunities at your fingertips. If you are a member of a YMCA or other health club, take the yoga, tai chi or other classes being offered. These are excellent for stress reduction and the class offers a structure to help you guide yourself into relaxing.

Escape with a great book. Let yourself have a break from reality by getting immersed in a story.

Seek help. If you are prone to depression, be sure to get support and use everything available to help you cope. It may be medication, acupuncture, massage, counseling or a combination. Now is the time to make sure you use the support.

I am doing all of the above. I am knitting with my neighbors each week, taking a tai chi class and adding on more swimming into my week, I’m reading the “Twilight” series, and I am slowing down and spending time with friends. Take care of yourself. It is the most important thing you do to get through this time.

Sarri Gilman is a freelance writer living on Whidbey Island and director of Leadership Snohomish County. She is a therapist, a wife and a mother, and has founded two nonprofit organizations to serve homeless children. You can e-mail her at features@heraldnet.com.