Stress in a time of poor economy
Sandie introduced Pauline Vaughan, a psychotherapist and clinical psychiatrist, a member of the Gestalt Institute of Upper Canada and a practitioner of Chinese Medicine. She came to Penetanguishene 3 years ago after 22 years in Kingston.
Pauline said that periods of economic stress often led to individuals suffering emotional stress and in a period where GM stock is at its lowest point since MacKenzie King was Prime Minister, people are having to reassess their plans for the future. She says it is clear that physical and emotional health are linked and that stress has an impact on the human body and mind.
Phase 1 of the response to stress is 'the alarm reaction'. When people find themselves in a situation they can't control they experience physiological changes which include the secretion of gastric juices and adrenaline. It has been shown that when dogs are put under stress some of the become aggressive and some retreat and become despondent, to the point where they don't even eat. People, when they feel powerless, worry about the future and exhibit the same responses. We have to pay attention to our responses - are we becoming angry or aggressive at home? It is hard to acknowledge but we must.
The second stage is adaptation. We start to resign ourselves to the physiological changes. We take TUMS or sleeping pills and think we are dealing with it but changes are still happening and that leads to the third stage, which is exhaustion, showing up as chronic anxiety, heart attacks and etc.
There are two responses - change the situation or change the response. If the situation is out of our control it is better to change the way we think about it and start to recognize that the nature of reality is change. The marketplace won't stay in either a boom or a bust forever so we must develop patience.
Entrepreneurs believe in their ability to make things happen and when events are beyond their control tend to blame themselves, asking 'what did I do wrong?' Self esteem can be affected. We have to get past that and maintain our health for the next boom cycle. This may require making a shift inwards to give ourselves the strength to sustain ourselves.
To unwind ourselves from the treadmill we have to recognize that we're on it. If we have seen our role as one that makes things happen we tend to try to correct when things go astray and we might end up over correcting. Try to remember that this is not your fault and that it will pass.
If you have difficulty sleeping, problems with digestion, increased rates of sickness you must realize that you have passed the adaption stage and are moving into exhaustion. You may want to seek counselling which is simply a process of learning new skills and of getting people to examine their belief systems. Exercise helps work off the fight or flight adrenaline, even just going for a walk. You may want to become part of something bigger, a spiritual attention.
Steve thanked Pauline for coming at an appropriate time and for her insights into the current situation and its possible effects on the individual.