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Relieving stress takes on added importance The new economy doesn't have a handbook on how to cope. People who have jobs are so thankful that they dare not complain about overwork. The stress of trying to get more and more done is wearing people out.Then there is the nightmare of layoffs. No one is getting sufficient assurance that they will still have a job this time next year. Layoffs are happening in rounds, and while you may survive one round, you can't escape the knotted stomach that your turn is coming. If you aren't making yourself worry during the day, nightmares about losing your job will stalk you at night. People who are trying to lead companies and organizations through this storm aren't quite sure what to say. They may have seen tough times before, but this recession is different. I recently bumped into a school superintendent who looked absolutely gaunt; he just looked me in the eye and said, "This is not like any other layoff experience. Where will these people get jobs?" The thought of the hardships these outstanding teachers will be facing was overwhelming this leader. It's not the same as last year. It's not the same. All I could offer him was a hug. Without any prior experience in an economy such as this, but as a therapist who has worked with many people through intense stress, I know for certain that this new economy will require all of us to improve our coping skills. The No. 1 thing you need is self-nurturing. Self-nurturing is about eating well and taking time to sit down and relax at your meals. Take small breaks in your day to pause and relax your mind. I relax by taking a 10-minute fiction-reading break and drinking ice-cold water. Others close their eyes and meditate for a few minutes. The point is to not let the work stress take you hostage all day. Take breaks. Exercise is essential. Whatever your excuse has been, now is a good time to get past it. Exercising is the most important self-nurturing you can do to support your body through this time. Make it fun. Walk with someone else. Yoga, bike riding, swimming, Frisbee. Find things you enjoy and get moving. Match your exercise level to the stress you are experiencing. At some point in the exercise, you should feel released from the stress. If you don't get that release, you may need to increase your exercise pace. Think of yourself as on a see-saw. Put your stress on one side of the see-saw. The goal is to balance it. You can bring balance to the see-saw with enjoyment. Don't overlook the importance of having fun, joy and laughter. It's important to notice and focus on enjoyable things. Let yourself linger there for a while. This economy is forcing us to build some new realities for ourselves. Sarri Gilman is a freelance writer living on Whidbey Island and director of Leadership Snohomish County. Her column on living with meaning and purpose runs every other Tuesday in The Herald. 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. |