Stress and Anxiety

You watch the news. You read your newsfeed. You struggle with paying your monthly obligations. You are constantly applying for jobs in an economic environment that is not conducive to either switching jobs or finding a job, depending on your current job situation.  You try to find the best academic, emotional, or medical support for your children.

We all have experienced one or more of the previous situations that lend to our daily stress and anxiety. How do we cope with this without causing health issues for ourselves.

A psychologist or therapist will want you to talk through your feelings, develop breathing exercises, and learn coping mechanisms. A psychiatrist will want to prescribe the latest medication that was manufactured by a large multinational pharmaceutical company. Your friends will want to invite you to watch a movie or sporting event while enjoying libations of your choice, alcoholic beverages or smoking either tobacco or marijuana (depending on the laws of your state). A fitness professional or coach will want you to develop some sort of workout routine.

What is the best option for you?

I cannot answer this question for you, but I can share my own experience, and maybe you can take something from it. The most important thing to realize is that you are not alone in your experience, your thoughts, or your struggles.  There is no need to live on an island in isolation, to an eventual downward spiral.

Who am I to talk?

I am the single wage earner in a family with six kids with various special needs, including Autism. I have lived in an area with little to no support for the betterment of my children’s lives, making up for about 20 years.  There is the line of a famous poem, “it is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved before”. This is true because my family has lived in an area where we did get all of their needs met for a little over three years. Because of this short window, my wife and I know that there are better places than where we live now.  This helps to keep us going but also adds to our stress and anxiety because we know that there is more, and it is potentially attainable.

What adds to the stress is that being a single wage earner, I have been either unemployed or underemployed for almost two years. I am a seasoned software developer with very marketable skills. Within the last 2 years, I have joined the ranks of tens of millions of other technical professionals saying the same thing and finding themselves without a job.  I have adopted the attitude of an octopus, trying several avenues to achieve sustainable income, while balancing helping to take care of my children that need a lot of hands-on intervention.

The key to managing stress is to keep moving forward even if it is in baby steps. Also, you need an outlet of some sort. For me, that outlet varies between working on my own software projects, blog writing (as I am doing now), watching a series, or vegging out to TikTok videos. The important piece to any of these options is to not spend too much time doing one thing, and not to get distracted from the tasks that need to get completed.

Years ago, one of my friends, who at the time was into motivational philosophy, told me to put a sign on my door to the outside that says, “Are you going to do something that will help you achieve your dreams”. This is the reason for not spending too much time on your outlets of choice. Outlets are great and very important but can also serve as a crutch if you utilize them too much.

What about drugs?

No, I am not referring illegal substances or addictive substances like alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana. I am referring to clinically prescribed antidepressants or antianxiety medications. In my opinion, there may be a place for these medications, but they may be overly prescribed as an easy short-term solution that could have unwanted side effects in the long term. My oldest son, who was diagnosed with anxiety with Autism was prescribed Sertraline on multiple occasions. Both instances resulted in the first month being a dream and then ended in his symptoms getting worse. When you read about the potential side effects of these serotonin uptake inhibitors, you find out that these popular antianxiety medications have anxiety, emotional outbursts, and sleeplessness as potential side effects.

For some situations, I am a supporter of nutritional supplements, with the understanding that supplements are like prescribed medications without prescription or oversight. Supplements are viewed as food and as long as manufacturers follow the guidelines for safe food, they are deemed okay for consumption.  Taking supplements also requires more homework on your behalf. Reading studies and personal accounts are important, and when possible, talk to people you can trust.  Cannabis, without THC, is known to be safe and very helpful for anxiety. Another supplement, known as 5-HTP, is also known to help with stress, anxiety, and relaxation. I have taken both and have found that 5-HTP works great for the type of stress and anxiety I am writing about in this article. This may not come too much of a surprise because one of the key ingredients is tryptophan.  Tryptophan is a substance also found in turkey and is the cause of why people feel very relaxed after eating Thanksgiving dinner. I personally have discovered, that based on recommended doses, taking 5-HTP twice a day allows me to cope with my stress and anxiety and not only allows me to focus on the tasks that matter, but allows me to relax when I take a break to enjoy one of my outlets. Another interesting side effect is that my sleep, which may not meet the recommended number of hours, is more restful.  I average about five hours of sleep per night, which in all honesty, is really not enough, but since taking 5-HTP, those five hours feel like seven. Both supplements may not work for those who suffer from clinical general anxiety.  When you take supplements, you must remember to take recommended doses. Just like prescribed medication, it is possible to take too much and potentially overdose.

Another avenue of managing stress and anxiety is consoling with your peers. Now, traditionally, this would equate to peer support groups, and you are at the mercy of your geographical location as to what support groups are available. In the age of social media, this boundary no longer exists.

Here are some social media outlets that I have found useful, I linked my profile to each one so that you can follow me and see what I post or repost on each platform:

LinkedIn: professionally, this is the leader bar none. You can connect to previous co-workers, future co-workers, previous and future employers, and anyone who just shares your interests or in the same field as you.  LinkedIn is also a fantastic publishing platform where you can read articles related to your industry written by either the leaders of the industry, like Bill Gates, as well as the people who are actually doing the work every day, like you and me.

Reddit: Nothing in technology is truly new. Reddit is a modern implementation of the forums of 20 plus years ago. Who remembers the infamous and famous Yahoo forums? In Reddit, you can find a forum (or sub-Reddit) on pretty much anything. What makes Reddit special is the contributors. I find that Reddit contributors write with thought, making the platform more valuable personally. Even topics that seem rather silly, have posts that seemed to have taken some level of effort by its authors. Such is the case of one particular post where the author described a fart of his in the stairway of his workplace that grabbed the attention of one of the executives of his company who thought there was an air conditioner leak or dead animal. The account was so visually written, I felt like I could smell it while reading the post. On the flip side, I joined an Autism support group that was more helpful than in person support groups that I participated in over the years.

TikTok (and Instagram): TikTok and Instagram are platforms that I refer to as healthy distractions that can easily lead to unhealthy distractions without proper self-control. People quite literally can post anything. You can find posts of interest that can truly give your brain a nice break or a visual thoughtful account of someone’s life, much like an in-person support group that just happens to consist of potentially thousands or millions of people.  I personally use TikTok, while my wife uses Instagram. Our usage is fairly similar with the exception that I have not posted on TikTok as much as she has posted on Instagram.  Being an artist, she uses Instagram to showcase her art pieces, which is a common usage of the platform.

It is important to remember that even though we all have stress and anxiety in our lives and some of us have more or different sources of stress than others, we are not alone. The key thing to managing stress is to find the coping mechanisms that work best for us, whether it is support groups, healthy outlets, social media, nutritional supplements, professional advice, or a combination of one or many of these options.  Even though there is no correct answer because we are all different and will therefore manage stress differently. there is an answer for each of us. We just need to keep moving forward and always remember that we are not alone.

Thank you for reading and I hope that what I have written can help you in some way.

The Commoditization Manifesto

Commoditization refers to the process of transforming a product or service into a commodity, where it becomes standardized and interchangeable with other similar offerings in the market. This phenomenon has a long history, with products evolving from unique and specialized to mass-produced and standardized to cater to the needs of a growing consumer base. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of commoditization, as well as its historical context. Additionally, we will delve into non-physical products or services that have successfully undergone the process of commoditization.

Advantages

Lower prices and increased affordability: When a product or service becomes commoditized, the increased competition in the market drives down prices. Standardization enables economies of scale, reducing production costs and making the commodity more affordable for a larger consumer base. This affordability factor allows greater access to essential goods and services that were previously only available to a limited group of consumers.

Greater choice and availability: Commoditization creates a standardized market where multiple suppliers offer similar products or services. This increased competition leads to a wider range of options for consumers, ensuring that they can select a commodity that best suits their needs and preferences. Moreover, the enhanced availability of commoditized products ensures that consumers have access to these goods whenever they require them.

Facilitates technological advancements: Commoditization often prompts technological advancements as companies strive to differentiate themselves from their competitors. For instance, advancements in manufacturing processes and technologies have made it possible to produce commodities more efficiently, ensuring higher quality and lower costs. As a result, consumers benefit from improved products and services that incorporate the latest technological innovations.

Stimulates market innovation: The commoditization of a product or service frees up resources and allows companies to focus on enhancing other aspects, such as customer service, marketing, or distribution. This stimulates market innovation, as companies seek to differentiate themselves by providing improved customer experiences or finding new ways to add value to their commoditized offerings.

Disadvantages

Loss of uniqueness and differentiation: As products or services become commoditized, their unique selling propositions diminish. Standardized commodities often lack distinct characteristics that set them apart from their competitors. This homogeneity can result in a loss of brand identity and consumer loyalty, as consumers may perceive no significant differences between offerings and may switch to cheaper alternatives readily available in the market.

Price-driven focus: Commoditization tends to narrow down the consumer perspective to price as the primary decision-making factor. With multiple suppliers offering similar products, consumers are more inclined to compare prices rather than consider other aspects, such as quality or additional features. This focus on price can lead to a race to the bottom, where suppliers cut costs to reduce prices, potentially compromising the overall quality of the commodity.

Inhibits creativity and innovation: In a commoditized market, the emphasis is often on cost efficiency and standardization rather than on creativity and innovation. Manufacturers and service providers prioritize replicating existing successful products or services rather than investing resources in exploring new ideas. This lack of innovation can hinder the development of breakthrough products or services that provide exceptional value to consumers.

Loss of control for producers: When a product or service becomes commoditized, producers may lose control over pricing and market dynamics. As the market becomes saturated with similar offerings from various producers, the pricing power often shifts to the consumer. Producers may find it challenging to differentiate themselves or maintain healthy profit margins, making it difficult to sustain their business in the long run.

Historical Evolution of Commoditization

The concept of commoditization is not new and has been prevalent in various industries throughout history. One of the earliest examples is the commoditization of salt, a vital commodity for human survival. In ancient times, salt was scarce and highly valuable. However, advancements in salt production techniques and the establishment of trade routes facilitated its mass production and distribution. Ultimately, salt became an affordable and widely available commodity, losing its previous aura of exclusivity.

Another significant historical example is the commoditization of sugar. Sugar was initially considered a luxury item and was only affordable for the wealthy. However, as technology advanced and methods for extracting sugar from sugar cane or beets improved, sugar became more accessible and affordable to the masses. Today, sugar is a ubiquitous commodity found in almost every household.

Commoditization of Non-Physical Products and Services

While commoditization is primarily associated with physical products, non-physical products and services have also undergone this transformative process.

Software solutions: The software industry has witnessed the commoditization of various applications and programs. Software solutions that were once custom-built for specific needs have now been standardized and made available as off-the-shelf products. This commoditization has enabled easier access to software tools, reducing costs, and allowing even small businesses or individuals to benefit from advanced software capabilities.

Telecommunications services: The telecommunications industry has experienced commoditization with the advent of mobile phones and the Internet. Telecommunications services such as voice calls, messaging, and data have become standardized and are offered by numerous providers. This has led to increased competition, lower prices, and greater availability for consumers.

Online streaming services: The rise of online streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Spotify has commoditized entertainment and music consumption. These platforms offer a vast array of movies, TV shows, and music that can be accessed by subscribers for a monthly fee. The success of these services has led to the commoditization of digital content, making it widely accessible to consumers.

Wrapping up

Commoditization has both advantages and disadvantages for consumers and producers alike. While it provides lower prices, greater choice, and improved accessibility to essential products and services, it also leads to loss of uniqueness, price-driven focus, and potential lack of innovation. Understanding the historical context of commoditization and its impact on both physical and non-physical products can help individuals and businesses navigate the changing dynamics of the market.

Getting Geared Up For Esports

Esports has become a global phenomenon, captivating millions of viewers and participants around the world. As the competitive gaming industry continues to boom, the demand for high-quality Esports technology has surged. In this article, we will explore the latest and top-rated brands in Esports technology, focusing on gamer gloves, headsets, mice, keyboards, glasses, team jerseys, and fanware. We will cover their compatibility with game systems, mobile phones, and desktop computers, along with the innovations they bring to enhance the gaming experience. Continue Reading