How to Protect Your Family From
the Stress of Economic Hardships
As Canada struggles through an economic crisis,
is your family solid enough to get through it?
By Cheryl Patterson
A turbulent economy can create a feeling of uncertainty as we realize it is out of our control and how vulnerable we are. The economic crisis is a major event that can cause distress, fear and anxiety as we struggle to understand what we are up against.
The sad news is that it’s usually those closest to us that suffer from our stress, but the good news is that we can get through tough times with our families in tact. There are ways to get through difficult times, without the distressing impact that economic hardships can have on a family’s sense of security and connectedness.
“Parents’, caregivers’ and community leaders’ own responses to an event strongly influence children’s and community members’ ability to recover,” says the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). We can use our experiences and skills to help each other to cope.
The following are healthy ways of coping during challenging times:
Identify your problems
Before you can improve any situation, you have to be clear about what the problems are. Think about what’s causing you distress and act on it. Get social support. “Men and women with a strong sense of belonging are less likely to feel stressed, and less likely to rate themselves as having poor mental or overall health”, says Health Canada. They add, “social support seems to be particularly important for adolescents, with neighborhood cohesion and parental nurturance being conducive to better overall health and lower levels of depression.” Stressful circumstances are not times to isolate ourselves.
Talk about your problems
Friends and family may not be aware that you’re having a hard time. Talking to them can help get your frustrations or feelings out, which is a great stress reliever, and they may have solutions for your problems or know of resources that can help.
Listen
Let your family members talk about their thoughts, feelings and reactions, and reassure them that you are available if they need your help.
Create a plan
Work on solutions as a family. Think about ways to relieve the problem, and work on the areas that you can, such as looking for a job, or talking with a health professional about personal challenges.
Make a commitment
Be serious about making decisions. Creating change to deal with the issue takes the pressure off. Considering that much of our stress comes from worrying, once you make committed decisions you help eliminate the worry.
Reduce tension
Physical activity is a great stress reducer. Find activities you can do together, as a family. This will reduce stress for everyone and help keep you connected. Walk, go bike riding, or even do relaxation exercises together, such as deep breathing or stretching. All create a positive example for your children about healthy ways for reducing stress and tension.
Take a break from problems
Have some down-time for a fun hobby or leisure activity. This will reduce stress and create distance from your problems, which will make them easier to solve.
Be realistic about your expectations
Don’t be too hard on yourself or your family members. Give everyone the opportunity to contribute in ways that they can.
Tough times call for dealing with stress in productive ways, and utilizing as much support as possible, regardless of the type of challenges you face. The challenges of one family member affect everyone - you’re in this together – as a family. Each member can contribute to moving forward in ways that will create success, and that will embrace a sense of pride and connectedness for everyone.
Sources
1. J. Flaherty (2008). Deep recession could force more foreclosures: BoC, The Canadian Press, http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081212/flaherty_economy_081212/20081212/
2. Public Health Agency of Canada (2005). Responding to Stressful Events: Taking Care of Ourselves, Our Families and Our Communities, P. 1.
3. CTV.ca News (2008). Canadians are a stressed-out bunch, poll finds, http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061220/canada_stress_061220/20061220/
4. R. Beaujot, Ph.D. (2005). The Family, Community, and Health in the Context of Economic Change, University of Western Ontario, P.2.
5. Health Canada, & Public Health Agency of Canada (2008). Mental Health: Coping With Stress, P. 2.
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