Combating Loneliness, Anxiety & Depression during the Shutdown

The Economic Impact of the Shutdown

There is plenty of talk and commentary about the economic impact of the Government shutdown and rightly so as Federal Government employees are seen standing in lines that stretch for miles just to collect food from food banks. Unless you are directly impacted then no one knows for sure the economic devastation and destruction that has resulted from the shutdown. A single Government employee may directly support about about ten dependents and all that support is instantly cut off. What about the mortgage, car, credit card payments that are late and will soon be in default? Even the best economist will find difficulty assessing the extent and full impact of the shutdown. The impact is hardly limited to economics as the economic impact pales in comparison to others.

Emotional and Psychological Impact of the Shutdown

The human body consists primarily of two parts,body and soul . And there is a huge emphasis on the things that affect the body, like food, shelter and clothing and for good reason, because these are things that can be readily and easily assessed and quantify but things that affect the soul are not apparent to the human eye. You can tell if and when someone is hungry , homeless or naked but no one can tell the thoughts that are ravaging any human soul. No one can tell if the person sitting next to you is planing to commit suicide in the next one hour. Thoughts are invisible and cannot be quantified with the human eye. So the economic impact of the shutdown pales in comparison to the emotional and psychological devastation that has been wrought on the American people. But the impact is hardly limited to economics, emotional and psychological.

Health Impact of the Shutdown

The body is not a stand alone entity for it is intertwine with the soul. Emotions and health are intertwined. Whatever happens in the soul directly impacts the body. It has been documented by the medical communities that stress, loneliness, anxiety, depression,fear and a host of other emotional issues directly impacts your cardiovascular health, immune system, blood pressure, digestive system, cognitive impairment, pulse and heart rate. Almost 90 percent of patients admitted in any hospital for chest pain, have no medical issues. The issues are mostly emotional and spiritual in nature.

What is the Solution

So, let’s say that you are in the middle of a shutdown and you are stressed, emotionally drained and confused about what to do! Every case is different and one size does not fit all! Always remember that if you are emotionally and spiritually health then you will reduce the physical effects of stress, loneliness, anxiety, depression on your body. Here are some things that you could do:

1. Don’t be a Loner: Most people tend to look inward and withdraw in times of a crises. Even if you are an introvert, open up and talk to people even if it feels uncomfortable. You may be surprise that the solution is closer than you think!
2. Join a Support Group: Studies have shown that joining a group of like minded people, people with similar experience as yours may bring temporal relief as you share your suffering and load together as opposed to you carrying your load alone.
3. Connect with Your Creator : Several clinical studies have shown that people with a devout faith in God also fair better in a any crises. They are less anxious, fearful, stress and depressed in a crises and have less health issues as a result of a physical crises.

Connect with your creator and enjoy life to the fullest.