#PositivelyStressed – Week 16
Unless you’ve been living under a rock – or elbows deep in work – it’s been hard to miss the whirlwind of headlines surrounding the president’s announced tariffs, the sharp market response, and the almost immediate rollback. When we talk about volatility, we’re not just referring to a few bumps in the road. We saw U.S. stock indices drop more than 20%, entering bear market territory, only to then post the highest single-day growth in history. All in the same week.
The internet is flooded with takes from economists, legal scholars, and political analysts breaking this all down. But I’m not here for that.
What doesn’t get talked about enough is the psychological impact of economic whiplash like this – on everyday people.
Over the last decade, studies from organizations like the WHO and NIH have drawn a clear line between economic uncertainty and mental health. Anxiety, depression, and even suicide rates rise notably during periods of financial instability – particularly in high-income countries where financial security is tightly linked to identity and wellbeing.(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10070933/)
When national or global events shake the foundation of our perceived stability, the most powerful countermeasure isn’t always policy – it’s community. These are the moments we need to show up for one another, check in on our colleagues, and create space to talk about what’s really going on beneath the surface.
Whether you’re a veteran, a working parent, a business owner, or just someone trying to keep it together – this stress is real. But so is our ability to manage it together.
History has shown us time and again that we get through these turbulent chapters. And we will again.
So, breathe. Stay connected. Ask for help when you need it, and offer it when you can.
Let’s keep building a culture where vulnerability is strength and community is our safety net.
By: Stephen Delcuze, Esq. - Found on LinkedIn here.
