Dan's Papers - November 7, 2008 - Managing Stress During This Financial Fiasco

Do you look in the mirror lately and see the Bride of Frankenstein staring back at you? Do you fellas see just plain old Frankenstein? Are your eyes red, your face chalky? Are veins popping out of your neck and head? It's called stress, my freaked out friends, and right now we're all going through big doses of it.

We've got headaches, bellyaches and heartaches. We can't sleep, we're eating things we swore off years ago, like Fritos and Mallomars, and we are exhausted and agitated at the same time. These are some of the surface, more subtle indicators of stress. There are some nasty, more dangerous physiological effects from stress that many of us are enduring and should be cause for concern.

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland and is released into the body during stressful situations. Higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream have been shown to have severe negative effects, such as weakened cognitive performance, suppressed thyroid function, increased blood sugar and blood pressure, decreased bone density and muscle tissue, lowered immunity and last, but not least, a good old surplus of abdominal fat.

This economy is putting us through the wringer. It is not only wreaking havoc on our bank accounts, but it could be taking valuable, healthy years off our lives. We'll survive it, because we Americans are resilient and stubborn. We won't let this take us down. However, along the way we are going to have to face stress head on. Instead of trying to dodge it, which is likely impossible, we are going to have to manage it.

Here are some useful tools that may ease the symptoms of stress and in some cases reduce stress substantially:

- Exercise. Physical activity relieves tension, shifts our focus away from the daily grind for a short time during our day, and also releases a chemical in our body called endorphins into our bloodstream that trigger feelings of happiness.

- Relaxation methods like listening to music, taking warm baths, controlling your breathing by taking deep, long breaths, and indulging in mini-meditation moments will all help to calm the nerves and release mental pressure.

- Tailor your diet to aid mood and well-being. Cut down on the caffeine and the sugar. We are all guilty of craving and reaching for the wrong foods when we are stressed, which is only going to add to the lousy feeling we are already enduring. Foods rich in B vitamins, like fish and nuts, are known to decrease feelings of anxiety. Also, herbs like chamomile and peppermint can calms the nerves.

- Turn off the news. Our perception of the world around us can send us into a somber downward spiral. Listening to the media tell us how awful things are, doesn't do anyone any good. For many of us, especially here in the Hamptons and New York City, things aren't that bad. We're still able to maintain the basics of living and then some. Stick to the mindless sitcoms and ridiculous reality shows for a while. Laughter is proven medicine for stress.

- Get your z's. I know when you are worried about your retirement fund and whether you'll have a job on Monday, it's tough to hit the pillow with sweet dreams. But lack of rest is only going to exacerbate any mood swings you are already experiencing. A well-rested body and mind is what you are going to need to deal with the day ahead of you.

- Be grateful. Gratitude is a powerful and positive emotion, and many studies have shown that gratitude for what you DO have, instead of focusing on the things you DON'T have, can be a tremendous and miraculous shift in your outlook on life. Be thankful for your healthy family, the house you still live in, whatever money is left in your portfolio and the fact that you have food and clothing for survival. Every day take a few moments - seriously - to remember all that is good in your life and for all the special people who surround you.

- Roll with the punches. Instead of worrying about your circumstances, face your challenges head on. We can't always change what's happening to us and around us, but we CAN change how we react to it. Our attitude toward this economic dilemma is essential to getting through it. Be proactive and figure out how you are going to get through it. Even if you are on the brink of bankruptcy or foreclosure, you HAVE to surf the wave that's coming at you. Just remember that "this too shall pass."