Now that the economic downturn is firmly rooted in our national psyche, stress is catching up with many Chicagoans. Unfortunately, we’re not doing enough to combat its effects.
Brad Schweiger, was laid off from his job as an attorney at a small family law firm in February 2009. He’s now working two jobs, doing document review on a contract basis and also doing part-time legal work for a law firm.
“I try to go running to reduce my stress, but it’s harder to do in the winter,” said Schweiger, 28, of Chicago.
More than 70 percent of the city’s residents cite work, the economy and money as significant causes of stress, according to a new survey by the American Psychological Association, or APA.Job satisfaction is on the decline too. Sixty percent of Chicagoans said they were satisfied this year, down from 66 percent in 2009 and 74 percent in 2008.
“When the recession first started, we saw lots of insomnia, drinking, feeling jittery and anxious, and stomach pain,” said Nancy Molitor, public education coordinator for the APA. “People were worried about losing their jobs and health insurance.”
Now two years later, whether employed and picking up slack from downsized staffs or unemployed, Chicagoans are reporting fatigue, irritability, anger, depression and exhaustion.
“It’s a chronic situation,” said Molitor, who is also a clinical psychologist. “The longer you stay depressed or have chronic fatigue, the less likely you are to spontaneously pull yourself out.”
And more people are having trouble managing their stress, citing lack of willpower, motivation, cost and time as obstacles to making lifestyle and behavioral changes. The study found that 59 percent of Chicago adults say healthy stress management is important, while only 35 percent say they are successful in stress management.
“We recognize that we need to manage stress, but things tend to get in the way of actually making those changes,” said Andrew R. Farra, a licensed clinical psychologist at NorthShore University HealthSystem.
Chicagoans are also worrying more about their personal health, with 63 percent reporting it as a source of stress, up from 37 percent in 2009. Nationally, 52 percent of American adults cite personal health as a source of stress.
Farra says that eating well, exercising and getting adequate sleep are essential to good health and reducing stress. He also suggests eliminating stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and sugar, and recommends winding down at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
“Don’t watch the nightly news right before bed,” Farra cautioned. “Avoid the computer and texting too.”
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Farra also advocates reaching out to someone important in your life. “Having a person to talk through some of the stressors of the day can go a long way in reducing stress.” He said the good news is that overall stress levels for Chicago residents are down from last year.
“Absolutely we have reason to feel optimistic. It’s a matter of people taking the time to take care of themselves during this difficult time and knowing that their effort is going to pay off,” he said.
That message has sunk in for Jennifer Kott, despite being saddled with personal and financial stress. Laid off from her job as an editor in November 2008, she’s been looking for full-time work and taking care of her father-in-law, who has dementia.
“My husband is working, but I’m trying to balance family responsibility with the need to pay the bills,” said Kott, 39. “I’m stressed out all the time.”
Kott enrolled in the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program for Depression and Anxiety at NorthShore University Health System. With the help of relaxation exercises and meditation, the four-week group therapy program taught her to live “in the moment.”
“Meditation and mindfulness training gave me a comfortable, easy way to process those stressors so I wasn’t focusing all of my energy on being stressed,” said Kott. “I reprogrammed my way of thinking so I can enjoy my life more.”
Schweiger, the laid-off attorney, is trying to stay optimistic, even though he doesn’t see work picking up in his field.
“The legal market is flooded. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to break in,” he said.
On a positive note, however, he’s getting married next October.