Working On Me

Everyone reacts differently to stress. When things go wrong, we all have our ways of coping, but in times of extreme stress there are some behaviors that can really affect our health negatively. Prolonged moodiness can put you at risk for depression and other health problems. Be on guard for these three mood shifts and their impact on your health.

Tendency To Withdraw

If things are going badly and you find yourself growing increasingly isolated, do something about it. It’s easy to get stuck in downwardly spiraling thought patterns when you are alone and then feel ten times worse. The isolation feeds the depression which makes you want to stay more isolated making it a vicious circle altogether.

You don’t have to compulsively socialize if you don’t want to but if you find yourself miserable often, with no energy to even want to meet people then it’s time to make a real effort to get out of that state lest you become seriously depressed. Surrounding yourself with a bunch of positive helpful people will greatly improve your mood. Try not to hang out with people who can only talk about the economy and obsess about how bad it’s getting. Avoid fear-based talk and hang out with supportive friends who make you feel better.

Feeling Angry Most Of The Time

Are you irritable often? Do you snap at your spouse or family members? Are your relationships suffering because of your frustration? Constant anger is risky for those with pre-existing heart conditions since it tends to worsen them. If you find yourself in this state, look for constructive ways to channel all that anger away. Exercising will definitely make a difference. If you really want to blow off steam, then consider getting involved in worthwhile causes that that can make a difference.

Feeling Hopeless And Depressed

If you are too listless to work or are motivated to throw your hands up and declare ‘I can’t do anything’ anymore then your attitude needs some attention. It’s understandable to feel hopeless but if you act that way then, you’ll only be bringing more of it into your life. If the economic crunch has you so depressed that you don’t perform well on the job or aren’t motivated to work as much then that can lead you to getting fired. You can avoid making a bad situation worse by not surrendering to your fears and staying proactive. The recession is not going to last forever. If your well-being is solely dependent upon the amount of money you have, then you need to reframe your values.

There are have been many reports of suicides and deaths due to stress-related causes, financial anxiety etc. People who never had to ask for help before are being pushed over the edge when they lose everything that’s precious to them. If you find yourself having suicidal thoughts, get help in the form of counseling immediately.

Poor sleep, anxiety, inability to concentrate, and loss of interest are all signs of depression. Watch out for these sings as well as prolonged sadness. Try to be aware of these signs in others as well as yourself. If someone loses a job or is going through a  stressful situation, consider talking to a professional to get help in the form of therapy or antidepressants if necessary.