SC Dept. of Employment & WorkforceScott J. Perez

LVER

Stress, Depression & Laughter during

UNEMPLOYMENT

Themes We’ll Discuss Today

“The best way out is always through” – Robert Frost

1Stress

2Depression

3Laughter

Stress Management

Have you ever woke up screaming and realized you haven’t fallen asleep?

1

PowerPoint Slide: 4 of 378

Before we get started, how do you define

stress?

What Does Stress Do to Us?Psychological Effects: feeling tense, confused, nervous, irritability, worry, withdrawal, anxiety, angry outbursts, depression

Physical Effects: Increased heart rate, rise in blood pressure, fatigue, sweating, eye strain, headaches, tense muscles, upset stomach/ ulcers, damaged immune system,

Behavioral Effects: Lack of concentration, forgetfulness, preoccupation, lack of attention to details, reduced creativity and productivity, smoking/drinking, neglet of personal appearance..

Stress may be hard to define, but we know it when we experience it.

What is a major calamity to one person, is no big deal to another.

Stress is not always bad—it can be beneficial.

Stress Management

Stress In The Workplace

• A growing feeling that the workplace is a “Threat”

• A place of anxiety, tension and the cause of irritability, low self-esteem, forgetfulness.

• Increase in worry about problems yet feel powerless to change the situation

• Absence rate increases or “Presenteeism” rate increases

The

Anat

omy

of S

tres

sThe Great Circle of (a stressful) LifeIs ignited by the Fight-or-Flight & fueled by Cortisol.Stressor

Reaction to stressor

Wear & tear on body &

organ systems

Reduced Optimum

Health

Increased sensitivity to

stress

Cortisol Levels

Stress Stimulates

The andrenal glands to produce cortisol

Over time causes

Andrenal exhaustion and low cortisol

Makes the body less able to respond to stress

- Perception, Cognitive Reframing- Avoid the Stressor- Relax! Relax!! Relax!!!- Exercise- The 3 C’s Survey – Control, Cure, Cause- Does being too aggressive or too passive have

anything to do with the stressor- Reflect on what led to unemployment- Don’t spend too much time relenting- Individual solutions for individual problems- Be mindful of the symptoms!- Take a 10 minute walk outside- Do not self medicate, speak to a doctor first- Fill out resumes & introduce yourself to the

boss- Don’t give up searching for employment- Evaluate your personality, Type A or Type B?- Don’t believe assumptions that create

inhibition- Forgive and Forget- Money is not the cure- Laughter

How to Manage

2 Depression

And what you can do about it

“You handle depression in much the same way you handle a tiger. If depression is creeping up and must be faced, learn something about the nature of the beast. You may escape without a mauling.”

Dr. R. W. Shepard

Depression

Depression: Defined1. A feeling of sadness and dejection resulting

in an increasingly pessimistic outcome on life.

2. Involves such things as social withdrawal, sleep disturbance, decreased motivation, edginess, increased anxiety, and critical thoughts.

Depression is not biased, prejudice, unfair, subjective or influenced…it is an equal opportunity employer.

Depression: Myths1. Normal People do not get depressed.2. Depression is a deep, black hole that

we mysteriously fall into and there is no way out.

3. Once I overcome depression, it will never come back.

Depression: Facts1. We are uncomfortable with the issue of depression.2. Clinical depression goes well beyond normal mood swings.3. It is typically not motivated by just one major cause.4. Though we may not like it, depression has a way of

becoming habitual.5. Ultimately, depression can drain one of the will to live.

1. Career changes, esp. setbacks.

2. Death in a family.

3. Prolonged illness/per. Injury.

4. Longstanding marital woes.

5. Divorce and Consequences.

6. Alcohol/Drug Problems.

7. “Empty-Nest Syndrome.”

8. Major legal & financial grief.

9. A disappointing retirement.

Contributing Factors

What else can we add to this list?

Reactive Depression – this is a response to a real or threatened loss. No biological connection.

Endogenous Depression – a mild to severe depression due to stress which is brought on suddenly and from within.

Neurotic Depression – caused by anxiety and chronic emotional stress. Patterned often after parents’ reactions.

Primary Depression – caused by disturbance in structure of brain (Bi-polar).

Depression: Types & Anger

Anger leads to depression…and depression leads to more anger, so…

Avoid Anger That May Lead to Depression

Quiet Aggression – called “suppression” holding it all in.

Passive Aggression – using manipulation to get “revenge”

Open Aggression – verbally abusive, critical and grouchy.

You can try holding it all in; but eventually…

1. Don’t be ashamed if depressed.

2. Seek professional help NOW!

3. Confront suicidal thoughts.4. Let grief run its natural

course.5. Realize that loss is

unavoidable.6. Make allowances for

setbacks.7. Separate your losses. Do

not compound them.8. Be Active or Fake it till you

make it!

Depression: How to Manage It

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

Depression: How to Manage It

Mark Twain

3 Laughter

Your natural cure, original stress killer and antidepressant…for only 3 easy payments!

Laugh at yourself more…

1. The early bird catches the worm2. Absence makes the heart grow fonder3. All things come to those who wait4. Beggars should not be choosers5. Cleanliness is next to godliness6. It is what it is

Adages Smadages!

How serious is this?Spread the Laughter!1. Make a joy list & do something for yourself daily2. Be nice to others and do for others3. Don’t let tangible things define your joy4. Enjoy the smaller things in life5. Fake it ‘till you make it6. Smile everyday!

» Hormones It reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), dopamine, etc. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. Laughter increases the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T cells. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress.

» Internal Workout: A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, abs, shoulders and leaves muscles more relaxed afterwards. It even provides a good workout for the heart.

» Laughter provides a good physical & emotional release

» Distraction Laughter brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions in a more beneficial way than other mere distractions.

» Perspective Our response to a stressful event can be altered by whether we view something as a ‘threat’ or a ‘challenge.’ Humor can give us a more lighthearted perspective and help us view events as ‘challenges,’ thereby making them less threatening and more positive.

» Social Benefits of Laughter It connects us with others. Just as with smiles and kindness, most people find that laughter is contagious, so if you bring more laughter into your life, you can most likely help others around you to laugh more, and realize these benefits as well. By elevating the mood of those around you, you can reduce their stress levels, and perhaps improve the quality of social interaction you experience with them, reducing your stress level even more!

LAUGHTER: Benefits

You must allow joy into your life in order to laugh; much in the same way you must join a gym

if you want to get more muscles.

So what’s stopping us from laughing more? When did it start?

irrationality + frustration + anxiety + depression = No Humor

Effort on Your PartLaughter is an activity that takes

? But wait… What does all this mean?

Where is the magic pill to solve all my problems?

» Change your Perception &You’ll Change Your Stressful World!

» It all starts with you

Perception Is Key to this Emotional Life

Questions?Stress, Depression & Laughter during

UNEMPLOYMENT