These are extraordinary times on campus and beyond. Stress over jobs and money is rising as fast as stocks and financial icons are falling. How does one cope with all the changes?

Two UC Davis psychologists offer some insights on how to live a balanced life while facing unexpected challenges.

Social psychologist Rand Conger says it is important to keep your network friendly, positive and large.

“One important step they can take is enlisting the support of others, either family, friends or other acquaintances who are in a position to offer help, advice, or general support,” he said.

Conger said people may want to contact human resource agencies in the community for help with work, financial or emotional problems. More than anything, appreciating family, friends and circumstances is important.

“One’s close relationships,” Conger said, “should become paramount while working through economic problems. Keeping these relationships strong promotes mental health, effective problem solving and keeps things in perspective until the economy improves — and after it improves.”

In the workplace, he noted, people increasingly are dealing with a “climate of fear” brought on by the skidding economy. Conger suggests everyone should have a “Plan B.”

“People need to carefully assess the possibility of losing a job and begin to plan for other alternatives if a real chance of job loss exists,” he said.

Get feedback for life’s big adjustments

Conger says that even during hard times, a new opportunity may be just around the corner.

“Sometimes people really hate their jobs and a downturn gives them the opportunity to look for something more consistent with their interests,” said Conger, adding that returning to college for more education is an example of forward-thinking planning.

Sudden adjustments like job loss or being forced to severely downscale one’s retirement expectations invariably tests one’s meddle, he said. Do not try it alone.

“These adjustments are best made through joint planning and decision making with family members. They should not be made in isolation.”

Beth Cohen, director of UC Davis’ Academic and Staff Assistance Program, which provides counseling to faculty, staff and their families, advocates taking the “big picture.”

“A larger perspective on this issue is that life situations are constantly evolving — -change is a given in our lives. We must remind ourselves that if we have been able to do it before, we most likely will be able to do it again,” she said.

Rather than sitting back and dwelling on the negative, she says, it is a better use of one’s energy to keep moving forward.

“Taking action can include researching and applying for a new job, even those you may have looked over in the past,” said Cohen.

Stress-reducing strategies include exercise, meditation and eating right, all of which, she explained, can help free the mind of destructive distractions.

“Often times, the ‘silver lining’ to losing a job is gaining extra time to take up those activities you have always desired, but have never had the time to pursue,” Cohen said.

She noted that humans have a “primitive fear response” to threats, economic or otherwise. “Sometimes the threat is clear and precise — like physical danger — where we can fight or flee.”

However, when the threat is more unclear, abstract and uncontrollable — like that found in an economic crisis — people often feel confused and helpless, she said.

“We encourage individuals to be realistic about their lives during periods like these,” said Cohen, who favors taking a “problem-solving” approach.

Simplicity, appreciation touted

Like Conger, Cohen says that gratitude can lessen one’s angst.

“There is more than one route to gratitude. Some will naturally be more inclined and inspired to feel gratitude while others will have to work a bit harder. Making the decision to appreciate life can be challenging.”

Cohen noted that UC Davis psychologist Robert Emmons, in his research on gratitude, found that “grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress.”

Emmons also found that though grateful people do not deny or ignore the negative aspects of life, they tend to cope better with adversity.

Beyond this, Cohen said that many individuals have reported that the economic unrest has forced them to cutback and begin living simpler lives.

“Some have begun to appreciate what they do have,” she said, “and others have embraced their family and other special relationships in their lives.”

Need to talk?

To talk with someone about stress, financial or otherwise, call (530) 752-2727 or e-mail Beth Cohen at bacohen@ucdavis.edu. To learn about counseling resources available through Academic and Staff Assistance, visit http://www.hr.ucdavis.edu/ASAP.