Rona Okin, LCSW · Psychotherapist · NYC
Our country faces challenging times in dealing with an economy in freefall. How are these economic changes affecting you? Perhaps you’re dealing with one or more of the following:
- job loss or the threat of job loss
- redefinition of your duties on an existing job
- relocation
- career and occupational change
- changes in the scope or length of your workweek
- dealing with the loss of co-workers and friends on the job due to layoffs
- shouldering more responsibilities due to cutbacks
- the stress of being pressured to do more with fewer resources
- experiencing your share of group angst, anxiety and uncertainty about the future
- feelings of powerlessness and helplessness
- lack of control over management of your work flow
- career burnout
- escalating communication problems on the job
- ineffectual leadership and management
- lack of balance between work and home life
These are just a few facets of job stress being experienced by workers across the country. We know that our economy won’t resurrect itself overnight, so some of these changes are bound to be here to stay for the foreseeable future. Are you struggling to maintain in the day to day grind? Have changes on the job made a previously tolerable situation feel impossible?
If you’re feeling the effects of workplace stress and job burnout that are magnified by economic fallout it’s important to respond proactively. Otherwise, it’s tempting to let fearfulness dictate the response. Getting back to basics by taking control of the things within your realm of control is a good place to begin.
Here are a few stress management tips which can help you get and stay grounded in these turbulent times:
- Think about making simple changes to your routine that can add quality to life. Take a walk, listen to live music, enjoy art, theater. Try new things.
- Let humor defuse some of your stress. Let a favorite comedy or funny movie distract you from the prevailing doom and gloom.
- Ensure that your sleep, eating, exercise and recreational patterns are in balance and make corrections as necessary.
- As much as possible, leave work at the workplace. Consider creating a transitional routine that allows you to shift gears when returning home from the office. Something as simple as taking a few minutes to refresh yourself by doing something non work-related before diving into problems and needs at home can help.
- Stay hydrated. Avoid caffeinated beverages and make sure your electrolytes are in balance. Dehydration is stressful on the mind as well as the body.
- Schedule enjoyable outings and activities at regular intervals so that you can have something positive on the calendar to look forward to. Many tough times can be made bearable if you know that you’re going to reward yourself in the not too-distant future with activities that give you a boost.
If your usual coping strategies are not working for you, maybe it’s time to come to therapy and talk about your situation. Stressful times sometimes awaken self-doubts and insecurities that may be rooted in the distant past. You may even find yourself in a fight, flight or freeze state associated with feeling threatened or jeopardized due to changing work conditions. Depression and anxiety can also take root at times you’re out of balance due to career woes. It’s important not to minimize these factors and to seek appropriate help as soon as possible to keep smaller problems from getting out of hand.
Job and Career Stress in NYC: How I Can Help
If you’re considering therapy I’d like to help. We can talk together about the stress you’re under and problem-solve about your job situation and brainstorm about career prospects. I’d love to hear from you.
Take Action – Call 212-734-6546
Call to schedule a time to meet with me at my therapy office on New York City’s Upper East Side.
I’d like to help and I welcome your call.