Psychologist offers ways to cope with anxiety from global tariff tension

Political and economic uncertainty in Canada in the days since U.S. President Donald Trump took office is already taking a toll on some Canadians.

It’s wreaking havoc on their mental health – already in a fragile state following a global pandemic, a housing crisis, rising food costs and more.

Winnipeg wife and husband Oleksandra Borysova and Sam Ebrahim say they’re worried about how tariffs will impact Canadians.

“We are here for a good life. I came here from Ukraine two years ago and making enemies between Ukrainians and Russians and I don’t want this to happen to Canadians and Americans,” Borysova told CityNews.

“I’m worried actually because sometimes it feels like a joke, but it’s not.”

Ebrahim can’t make heads or tales of the budding conflict.

“If they are partners in business, why on Earth are you making us your enemy?” he said.

“We don’t have an immediate plan B so I hope that something will be put in place to get this thing sorted out quickly.”

Trump signed executive orders Monday to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States, including Canadian products, starting March 12. Trudeau called the tariffs “unacceptable” and said he was working with international partners to deliver a “firm and clear” response.

RELATED: Manitoba braces for impacts of U.S. steel and aluminum import tariffs

Monday’s tariff threat marks another development in Trump’s larger plans to reshape global trade and American foreign policy through tariffs. The U.S. president has threatened 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Canadian imports, with a lower 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy.

The levies have been delayed until at least March 4 in response to border security commitments made by Canada.

‘Think about what can you control’

Clinical psychologist Jay Greenfeld says people are being faced with the challenge of juggling the struggles of everyday life – like parenting or financial pressures – with issues on the international stage.

“All these things are happening simultaneously and then every week, there seems to be another global event that’s happening that exacerbates that same type of feeling,” Greenfeld said.

That’s why he isn’t surprised by the anecdotes of increased anxiety. With political and economic news – such as the tariffs – everywhere we look, he says it’s hard for it not to be top of mind.

“The hard part is saying to yourself, ‘OK I’m not going to go on social media.’ But then it comes at you on TV. ‘Well, I’m not gonna go on TV.’ Then it comes at you on the radio … ‘Then I’m gonna go on the internet just by itself.’ Even if you just click on your search engine, you’re not even looking at a website, but sometimes your search engine will just generate news for you.

“Every 22 minutes, you’re getting the same story again. So over the course of 24 hours, you’re hearing that same story multiple times.”

The Winnipeg psychologist says there are ways for Canadians – young and old – to deal with that bombardment of news and information: “Start to think about what can you control in those situations.”

“You can’t control a lot of the policies being made or the things that are in place. But you can control your response,” he said.

“Maybe you make other changes in terms of how you’re spending. Maybe in terms of how you’re saving. You make those changes because you don’t know what might happen from the government’s side of things. If you don’t know that, and that’s really uncertain and that’s what’s going to bring you out some anxiety, well then let’s focus on the things you can control.”

Greenfeld says being inundated with anything will lead to increased pressure.

“But knowing that it is, you can make other choices. And if you make other choices, it won’t necessarily change what may or may not happen, but it can change your own environment. It can change your own surrounding and then decrease some of your stress and some of your anxiety.”

It’s advice that’s working for Borysova and Ebrahim, who are trying to find more ways to make an impact.

“We try to find whatever products that are Canadian products, that’s our main priority,” Ebrahim said. “If there are no Canadian products, look for alternatives that are not coming from the south.”

“Let it stay on the politician level and let them deal with each other on top of that,” added Borysova.

“Of course I will support Canada at this time. … I’ll support my community. I’m living in Manitoba, I love the people here and I will try to support them as much as I can.”

More Trump executive orders

Greenfeld acknowledges some decisions south of the border are hurting more than people’s bottom lines.

There’s the one recognizing but two genders — male and female – and another dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The clinical psychologist recommends anyone affected access means of support and help.

“I think the bigger thing is to then say, ‘OK, if I have my supports in place, now I’m gonna advocate starting with concentric circles. So for my inner circle, what can I do. How can I feel most comfortable in my inner circle. How can I feel most comfortable in the secondary circle. And then the tertiary.’ And we keep going, because you’re not gonna be able to get to all of them, but you’re going to try and expand what others can know and how others can be better educated.

“The more support we have, the less stress we’re gonna feel.”

Greenfeld also believes people can take the opportunity to educate others.

“There’s some validation that comes from that, and you feel less alone,” he said.

“That’s one of the ways that at least you can feel heard and then you take it from there.”

–With files from The Canadian Press