Now job losses are accumulating at a
staggering rate due to the pandemic.
“Anxiety and fear are the names of the game right now when it comes to job security,” said Dr. Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine.
Employment brings not just financial stability but also a sense of purpose. And so it is more important than ever to be mindful of our mental health.
“With work, we feel a greater sense of self-esteem, advocacy and a sense of purpose. There are monetary reasons and financial reasons for working, but it’s also a way to feel connected to others,” said Brittany LeMonda, a senior neuropsychologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
LeMonda said it is crucial for people who have lost their jobs to find a way to draw the line between expressing their anxiety and giving themselves a break.
“Allowing ourselves to feel whatever those feelings are — frustration, anxiety, sadness — is important,” she said. “But it’s also important to come to terms with accepting that this is the situation that we’re in right now.”
Saltz said that it is helpful to distinguish between productive and unproductive thoughts when it comes to employment anxiety. People need to think creatively about how to manage their situation.
“This anxiety isn’t serving anyone well, but the thoughts can be super sticky,” Saltz said. “The more one can say, ‘Well, of course I have worries, this is a difficult situation,’ the more likely it is to recede. That’s just the way the brain works.”
Besides, physical activity, meditation, mindfulness, breathing exercises, yoga and generally taking care of yourself are ways to cope with the anxiety of job loss.
It is important to monitor not just yourself but also other people you care about. Reach out when appropriate. “If you see someone that you’re worried about, say something,” said Dr. Victor M. Fornari, vice-chair of child and adolescent psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, New York.
“Anxiety and fear are the names of the game right now when it comes to job security,” said Dr. Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine.
Employment brings not just financial stability but also a sense of purpose. And so it is more important than ever to be mindful of our mental health.
“With work, we feel a greater sense of self-esteem, advocacy and a sense of purpose. There are monetary reasons and financial reasons for working, but it’s also a way to feel connected to others,” said Brittany LeMonda, a senior neuropsychologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
LeMonda said it is crucial for people who have lost their jobs to find a way to draw the line between expressing their anxiety and giving themselves a break.
“Allowing ourselves to feel whatever those feelings are — frustration, anxiety, sadness — is important,” she said. “But it’s also important to come to terms with accepting that this is the situation that we’re in right now.”
Saltz said that it is helpful to distinguish between productive and unproductive thoughts when it comes to employment anxiety. People need to think creatively about how to manage their situation.
“This anxiety isn’t serving anyone well, but the thoughts can be super sticky,” Saltz said. “The more one can say, ‘Well, of course I have worries, this is a difficult situation,’ the more likely it is to recede. That’s just the way the brain works.”
Besides, physical activity, meditation, mindfulness, breathing exercises, yoga and generally taking care of yourself are ways to cope with the anxiety of job loss.
It is important to monitor not just yourself but also other people you care about. Reach out when appropriate. “If you see someone that you’re worried about, say something,” said Dr. Victor M. Fornari, vice-chair of child and adolescent psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, New York.
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