Job Loss and The Pending Recession

The Fear of Job Loss During a Recession: Understanding Its Impact on your day-to-day functioning

The fear of job loss is a common concern for many people, especially during a recession. Economic downturns can result in widespread unemployment, and individuals who lose their jobs may struggle to find new employment opportunities. This fear can have a significant impact on mental health, leading to increased levels of anxiety and depression.

Anxiety is a normal stress response, but when it becomes persistent and interferes with daily life, it may be classified as an anxiety disorder. The fear of job loss can cause significant stress and worry, leading to increased anxiety levels. This anxiety can manifest as worry about financial stability, the ability to provide for one’s family, and the future prospects of finding new employment.

It’s important to understand that these feelings are normal and that seeking help is a sign of strength. There are several steps that individuals can take to manage their anxiety:

1. Seek Support

One of the most important things that you can do is to seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional. Talking to someone about your feelings can help to relieve some of the burden and provide you with a new perspective. A mental health professional can help you develop coping strategies to manage your anxiety.

2. Engage is self-care

Self-care is crucial for managing anxiety. Take time for yourself to engage in activities that you enjoy, whether it’s reading, hiking, or cooking. Doing things that make you happy can improve your mood and reduce feelings of stress and worry. How does this happen? Self-care boosts feel-good chemicals circulating in your body. These include dopamine and serotonin. Naturally, this can result in reduced stress and an increased feeling of well-being.

3. Exercise Regularly

Exercise is a great way to manage anxiety and depression. Physical activity releases endorphins, the body’s feel-good chemicals. Exercise can also reduce stress by lowering the levels of a stress hormone called cortisol. This results in reduced anxiety and greater calmness. To integrate exercise into your day-to-day routine, it’s helpful to find activities you enjoy. This does not necessarily mean you have to hit to gym or have a high intensity workout. Instead, incorporate daily walks, play a sport, or engage in other activities that elevate your heart rate and get your body moving.

Although we cannot predict the economic future or control our employment status, having anxiety around an unknown future is to be expected. We combat our worry by managing our unhelpful thoughts to reframing them into helpful ones, which can impact how we feel and what we do.