It’s no secret… the economy isn’t exactly booming. And while I think we may have stabalized a bit, I am hearing many say their stress and anxiety levels are still on the rise!
I heard myself say on more than one occasion since the economy start floundering that I was secretly glad so many people were having to change their lifestyles. The cat’s out of the bag now! But here’s why I feel more positive when others are feeling the stress: I see golden opportunities!
Whether you’re one who has lost your job or not, like many others you may have decided to tweak some things in your personal life just a bit. And while I don’t advocate taking a “just in case” stance, I do think there are steps we can take that reap HUGE rewards in our personal lives during ANY economic climate. Here are a few ideas:
- Spend more time with family. Many claim to be in disparate need of life balance, eager to spend more time at home with family, but most don’t walk that talk. When forced to act because of a lay off or downsize, some don’t know quite what to do with themselves. I can’t think of one negative thing associated with some good, quality time with the family. Can you?
- Find pleasure in small things. If you’ve decided to downsize, keeping a “wealth plan” (what others may call a “budget”) means getting creative so you won’t feel deprived. Joy in small things can bring a renewed sense of spirit and energy! Take your dog for an extra long walk. Play games with your spouse and kids. Air up the tires and go for a spin on your bike. Watch a family movie that everyone enjoys. Finding pleasure in small things can be very inexpensive, while providing incredible mental health rewards!
- Eating in and being healthier. When I was growing up, eating out was considered a real treat! It was only on special occasions like a birthday, graduation, or some other celebration that we saw the inside of a restaurant. Today, my family eats out way more than I care to put in black and white! In fact, most families I know eat out more than they should, which means we aren’t as healthy as we could be. Eating in not only brings us closer to family (”a family that eats together, stays together”), but it helps our “bottom” line as well!
- Picking up a new hobby. I mentioned that I crochet to a friend the other day, and was was met with a chuckle. If you’re new to my blog, that fact may lead you to believe I’m eligible for a senior discount. Nope! I’m just someone who has found an extra hobby I enjoy! Think of a new hobby you’d like to try like painting, knitting, bocce ball, horseshoes, gardening, web design, writing, or any number of things. The sky’s the limit!
- Working on personal development. What better time to work on your state of mind than now? Mental health development is a lot like physical development: when you begin a new exercise program, you aren’t going to notice much change. But over time, you will begin to see the fruits of your labor. You feel stronger, more self-confident, and more powerful! So, while you’ve got more time on your hands, and whether you’re stressed and anxious or not, use this time to start a new journal, read a new self-help book, begin a new coaching program, or start your own support group.
There are many ways to stay connected, feel supported, and gain insight during good and bad economic times. And if this is a time that propels you to do things differently in your life, bravo!
(Warning, shamless plug coming up!) There are several ways I’m eager to help my clients during these times. And, if you’ve thought about hiring a personal coach or counselor, but think you may not have the funds for it, think again.
There is no time like the present to work on bettering yourself. Here are a few things to consider:
- Join an upcoming support group to help you learn the basics of personal development and change. Groups start at only $25. (A steal!)
- Consider getting the support of a coach or counselor without ever stepping foot in an office. Purchasing a “Change Retainer” package means you have a counselor at your email disposal throughout the month for only $45. (A steal!)
- Use your I Choose Change journal (free!), and weekly coffee with a good friend to help you make your own changes. Just a little nudge from a counselor or coach to steer you in the right direction may be all you need.
Finding the positives in a negative economy isn’t incredibly easy, but it does test your willpower. Make a list of ways you’d like to set your new course, then get started!
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I love taking vacations (don’t we all?). Unfortunately, like most people, I am only able to get away about once a year. After my recent trip to Mexico, I decided that taking vacations are NOT optional!
This was a much needed trip—we have both been worn out from everything life has thrown our way: work stress, family stress, and general social stress. And, to top if off, we are two people who are not always the most pleasant to be around when we haven’t fed our own “down time” needs!
Vacation Equals Mental Health
Most of us weather through life with many of the same everyday, mundane stressors. Whether you choose to vacation with the entire family, or with just your significant other, this is why I think we should all be on a mission to make vacation MANDATORY: >> More..
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When I asked, “What would you like for breakfast?” I heard the exclamation, “POPSICLES!!”
As any *good* mother “should” do, I said, “Ohhh, you know we can’t have popsicles for breakfast. How about some cinnamon toast, then a popsicle later for snack?”
Then I paused. And, I did what any bad mother would do…
I said, “Ok, sure. You can have your snack first, then cinnamon toast and oatmeal, ok?” In unison, they cheered, “YEAH!!”
Oh, what had I done? Was that the right decision?
In the very moment I heard myself say the words, “We can’t…” to my two toddlers, I also heard my mind ask, “Why not?” I had a flashback to a session I’d had with a client recently. She’d broken down in tears as we talked about expectations and rules in her marriage. >> More..
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photo credit: h.koppdelaney
Each time I mention positive affirmation to my clients, my mind goes through the “Stuart Smalley” Saturday Night Live spoof. You know the one. Where Stuart (a.k.a., Al Franken) looks in a full-length mirror and proclaims, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!”
And at the same time, I can see the look on my client’s faces, saying, “Seriously? That never works!”
Some clients have even recited the phrase to me in a mocking way.
OK, OK, I get it. Positive affirmations have gotten a bad wrap. (It’s gotten me one too!)
But there are times when we need SOMETHING to turn our negative ship around. When we have nothing else to grasp … except a positive phrase. One of those situations when you have to laugh just so you don’t break down in tears.
I had one such situation last night: >> More..
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It’s only fitting that in this week of Thanksgiving, we talk about giving thanks and having gratitude. While some may view this week as chaotic, stressful, and anxious-ridden with extended family, my hope for you is that you give thanks for the abundance, prosperity, peace, and joy in your life.
Giving thanks really means being thankful for the gifts you have in your life. If you don’t already view the things in your life as a gift, try shifting your focus from what you DON’T have to focus on what you DO have. You can even do this in the midst of chaos and when your life is feeling particularly stressful. Even mounting bills are things to be thankful for. The vendors behind those bills have provided a lifestyle for you that you wouldn’t have otherwise have had. Your bills are a gift. That’s an example of a true shift in focus.
As soon as you start feeling grateful and happy about the things you have, you will start to attract and have more blessings in your life. Everybody goes through things they don’t like and times that are hard, but it’s those who remain grateful and thankful for what they DO have, who have true joy, peace, and abundance in their lives. Start to see EVERYTHING as the gift that it is.
There is a distinction to be made between happiness and gratitude. They are not the same, although we sometimes use them interchangeably. To be grateful means giving thanks for something that’s been given as a gift. It can be a person in our life that was giving, or nature, or God. It was such a surprise to me this time last year as I pulled up to the window of Starbucks for my traditional “Non-fat, Peppermint, No-whip Caffe Mocha” (I recommend the drink wholeheartedly!), the car in front of me had paid for my drink! I tried to get a glimpse of them, but I didn’t catch them in time and they sped away. The person working in the window said, “They told me to tell you Happy Holidays!” It was such a treat. I felt grateful for the gift of not only the drink, but the thoughtfulness.
Contrary to feeling grateful, happiness would be something one just feels good about. You can be happy that it’s sunny outside, or grateful that the sunshine has been provided (the gift of sunshine!). You can be happy to have an extra $100 in the bank, but grateful that the extra money has been given as a gift. You get the point.
Having gratitude means being content. Being thankful and grateful leads to more contentment. Conversely, continually wanting more and more external things leads to the feeling of emptiness and unhappiness. It is human to want more, but that does not keep you from growing and evolving; it’s easy to get trapped by the feeling of not having enough in your life. To be content, get out of the rut of wanting more, more, more, and just experience that right now, in this moment, you are satisfied and content.
Research shows that “daily gratitude exercises resulted in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determinism, optimism, and energy.” According to Michael McCullough of Southern Methodist University, “Anyone can increase their sense of well-being and create positive social effects just by counting their blessings.”
So for this week, give thanks, have gratitude, and experience the overwhelming abundance, peace, and joy pouring into your life.
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