HR Message May 27, 2022
(edited June 27, 2025)
We recognize the concerns many families are facing during this time of uncertainty and encourage you to review the following helpful resources. We are in a moment of increased emotional stress and tension in our workplaces, schools, and communities across the nation. Our workforce, family, and loved ones may be experiencing anxiety, fear, frustration and overall mental stress. Perspectives EAP has compiled some tips for supervisors and employees to help navigate through these difficult times.
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For Workplace Leadership
- Proactively acknowledge the heightened energy and emotions that surround a political event in neutral communication.
- Model the desired behaviors. In tough times of stress people carefully watch the words and actions of leaders. Speak briefly and resist interruption.
- Empower others to handle a variety of responses and how to prevent conversations from escalating into hostility.
- There could be joy and grief. Listen actively. People should speak from their own experiences and not try to represent others or entire groups.
- Show leadership through empathy.
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Self-Care in Times of Increased Stress
MONITOR HOW MUCH MEDIA YOU CONSUME. Constant exposure to political upheaval can create anxiety, insomnia, and symptoms of trauma. Evaluate how the news makes you feel. Take a break from the news and political banter to ease anxiety.
SET BOUNDARIES AROUND POLITICAL CONVERSATIONS. It can be challenging if you disagree with the political views of coworkers, family and friends. If you choose to discuss politics, center your conversations and be authentically curious about hearing and learning more about a different perspective.
AVOID COMMON THINKING TRAPS. Thinking traps are negative thought patterns that block you from seeing things clearly and rationally. Some common thinking traps include:
- Catastrophizing: Forecasting the future in the worst-case scenarios
- Overestimating: Believing that these negative scenarios will actually occur
- Negative filtering: Negating positive facts about situations and one’s ability to cope
TIPS TO FACE “THINKING TRAPS”.
Check in: Notice your thoughts when you feel a spike in anxiety or stress.
Re-examine: Reevaluate your thoughts and consider alternatives including self reflection on gratitude. Expressing gratitude helps the brain release dopamine and serotonin, hormones that make us feel happier in the moment. If we want to take care of our minds during this challenging time, understanding how to trigger this feeling is a helpful tool. (Dr. Guy Winch, Emotional First Aid)
Take action: Replace catastrophic thoughts with productive action, such as problem-solving and self-care.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Create healthy habits to manage stress. Consider meditation, going out in nature, reading a book, or working on a hobby. Studies show that moving our bodies, including walking, biking, or even dancing, can improve mental health and reduce anxiety and depression. Make sure you get enough sleep, find time to be active, enjoy nutritious meals and avoid using alcohol and drugs. Below are links to some mindfulness and relaxation exercises:
- Morning Mindfulness – Gently begin your day with a short mindfulness exercise (3:22)
- Mindfulness at Work – Find grounding and relaxation during your busy workday (3:24)
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation – Decrease stress and tension that might be carried in the body (9:02)
- Guided Mindfulness Exercise – Guided mindfulness exercise to help your body and mind relax (9:22)
- Guided Breathwork – An exercise to practice slow deep breathing (4:15)
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State wide local community crisis supports: free and confidential
If you need to speak with a mental health provider urgently about what you are experiencing, you can call your local Emergency Services Program (ESP). ESPs – often called crisis teams, are staffed by mental health clinicians. They can talk to people who feel they are in or near crisis, and try to help them find the supports they need to manage the crisis. ESP services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. You can find the ESP serving your area, by calling 1-877-382-1609 and entering your zip code. You can also check out this list of ESPs by location (pdf – opens in a new window). Source; National Association of Mental Health, MA
Local United Way 211
211 is a free, confidential referral and information helpline and website that connects people of all ages and from all communities to essential health and human services they need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 211 can be accessed by phone or computer.