The Economics of Anxiety

Photo Illustration: Getty Images, Getty Images/Hulton Archive

"Among those evils which befall us, there are many which have been more painful to us in the prospect than by their actual pressure." - Joseph Addison

Economic uncertainty, job losses mounting and most anything else you read about in the newspaper; all of these are reasons for anyone to develop high anxiety. This anxiety created by worry can be accompanied by physical effects such as heart palpitations, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, stomach aches, or headaches.

Physically, the body prepares to deal with a threat. Blood pressure and heart rate are increased, sweating is increased, blood flow to the major muscle groups is increased, and immune and digestive system functions are inhibited (the fight or flight response).

"We walk in circles, so limited by our own anxieties that we can no longer distinguish between true and false, between the gangster's whim and the purest ideal." - Ingmar Bergman

According to a Gallup Poll conducted in March of 2008, the percentage of Americans saying they worry "a great deal" about the economy surged by more than 20 points over the past year, moving the issue from 6th on the list of 12 national issues measured in 2007 to tied for first today with health care.

We only know so well that economic conditions have worsened considerably since that time. It would stand to reason that worry about how one will survive these economic times has increased.

WebMD offers some advice when fear rears its ugly head:

• Take time to pull back from the situation and delay immediate action; unless there's an open artery involved.
• Breathe! If you don't know how to do relaxation breathing.
• Try to be around people who are calm; it's infectious in a good way.
• Sit down and ask yourself to look for the positive side in this or the solution that is currently not being seen. Reach out to others.
• Let Scarlet O'Hara be your guide for a moment and remember that "tomorrow's another day." Even Annie knew that "the sun will come out tomorrow."
• Understand that FDR was right when he said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Don't let it crush you in its grip.

"Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength." - Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Do all you can to turn your concern and worry into something productive. Read something to learn how the economic conditions will effect you; of different ways to save money; of different ways improve your condition. Knowledge is a powerful thing and the more you learn, the better prepared you are to get through this.

Stay inspired my friends.

A short video from Dr. Phil McGraw talking about anxiety.

What Worry

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength."
-Corrie Ten Boom

As you go about your day, things will happen that cause worry to come upon you. It may be little things like 'did you leave a light on at home', 'should I have brought an umbrella along' or other small nuisance types of worry. They are the nagging minor issues which fill the voids in our daily thoughts.

There are also the worries which impact us in a much bigger way. These are the worries that directly impact your ability to function on a daily basis. There are a hundred and one types of examples we could discuss. Many of you probably have one or two of them at this moment in time. It could be money, health, sex or job worries. Worries are anything that effect your day or impact your ability to fully function to your best.

Yet when worry consumes your life, it can be a detriment to your quality of life. It is said in an article from NetDoctor, that "many people openly confess to being worriers. They usually make the announcement as if to suggest the world is divided into the virtuous, who fret over everything, and the feckless majority who are laid back to the point of decadence."

Much of our worry can lead to bouts of anxiety and when diagnosed can be a very debilitating disorder. The anxiety can be treated and is best left to the professionals. But what I can say is that for constant everyday worry, "for worries sake" is not productive.

The time comes when you need to apply the energy consumed by worrying to one of making change and improvement. Once you have identified the issue, then take a breath and look for solutions. Certainly there are things out of your control but you do have control of you.

Look for advice, look for information, look to change the situation. And as the quote states, don't let worry steal your strength today, make change and let tomorrow bring a new and brighter day.

Stay inspired my friends!