Ok, I know it's more than a downturn. But if I use the real word I'll have to put money in my curse jar... And just the word itself seems to have an unpleasant effect on people's energy.
It seems to me lately that everyone's conversation is peppered with the words "doom and gloom", and it's hardly surprising given the alarming rate of unemployment increases, both nationally and globally. Doom and Gloom is exactly how it feels.
However, despite the severity of the economic crisis, it is possible to not let it get you down. Not easy, maybe, but definitely possible.
Happiness comes from within, not from money or stuff. Intellectually you know this, but in reality it can be very hard to not allow your circumstances affect how you feel. Because it's hard not to think about your difficult circumstances. And it's hard not to worry about what the future might hold.
And what you think affects how you feel.
But don't fall into the trap of thinking that if you're out of work, or your income has otherwise been signifcantly reduced, that becoming downbeat about life is unavoidable. Not only is it avoidable, but it's important that you consciously choose to keep your spirits up.
In the Health supplement of the Irish Times this week Dr Muiris Houston wrote about the dangers of unemployment to our physical and pyschological health, while Kitty Holland reported on the huge surge in calls being received by Irish voluntary agencies, GPs and health centres due to anxiety about the economy. It didn't make for optimistic reading.
It is the truth though. Worrying about the situation can pose a very serious risk to your wellbeing. But it doesn't have to.
It might seem counter-intuitive, but you can be happy even during hard times. The tricky bit is that in order to remain upbeat during the current climate, you will have to be proactive.
Unless you're one of those naturally optimistic people who will always look on the bright side no matter what, don't expect feeling chipper to come naturally when everywhere you turn you're being bombarded with bad news. I'm not one of those people; I'm a learned optimist, and I work at remaining so.
And if you want to be happy no matter what s*** life throws at you, you're probably going to have to work at it a bit too. But when I say "work" I don't mean hard work. I'm talking more about developing and maintaining awareness around your thoughts, words and deeds, so that they are aligned with feeling good rather than feeling down.
Here's a few tips:
If you do nothing else, do this! It's easier than you think, and if you're not sure how to do it just hit google to find free articles, books, cds and classes. You don't have to spend money to learn this. All it really is, is breathing with the intention of quieting your mind.
Don't worry though if your mind won't be quiet - it's perfectly normal for thoughts to be a-whirring during meditation. The key is to notice your thoughts, don't judge them, just gently let them go. In fact, your mind probably will be buzzing when you first start meditating, but if you do it regularly you will notice that afterwards your mind is calmer.
There's lots of different methods you could try, so there's a technique out there to suit everyone.
- Reduce your intake of news and replace it with comedy.
Seriously. You can be an uber-informed pessimist or an adequately informed optimist who knows the value of a sense of humour. (One of these things serves your wellbeing much better than the other)
- Don't engage in too many conversations about the economy.
To discuss the subject requires thinking about it. And thinking about it too much will make it harder to stay positive. And these days it's way too easy to use the recession as a conversation filler. I'm not saying don't discuss the issues at all, just don't make it your hobby horse. Find other things to talk about, even if it's only the weather!
- If you do lose your job allow yourself to grieve its loss.
Our jobs are important for all sorts of reasons. And grief is experienced when we lose something or someone important from our lives. It is not only associated with death. Suppressed grief turns to depression and this can become a serious and debilitating health issue.
If you've just lost your job it's normal and natural to feel all sorts of pain, and not just financial worry. It is important to acknowledge all of your pain and to look for a variety of ways to deal with it. Read this article by Tony Bates - it has some helpful suggestions.
- Turn thriftiness into a hobby.
Apparently if you view it as a game or challenge it can be quite a buzz.
“When a person thinks about the things, people and experiences that they're grateful for, their awareness of the good in their life increases, and they start to feel good." ~ Jamie Smart
Not everything in your life sucks. Focus more attention and awareness on the good stuff and less on the bad stuff. It's impossible to think good thoughts and feel bad, and vice versa. So to help banish the blues try ending each day by making a list of five things you're grateful for.
It's not important if they're little or big things - what matters is the warm fuzzy feeling you allow yourself. When you make this a habit every night, you'll find yourself paying more attention during the day, and actively looking out for things to appreciate.
- Give yourself a little treat every day.
It doesn't have to cost you a penny. It can be as simple as a bath, or an hour to yourself with a favourite book. It really doesn't matter what you do. What's important is that you consciously enjoy and appreciate it.
And if you practice this one, you'll already have one thing to include in your gratitude list every night!
They're my top tips for keeping your spirits up during these hard times. Anyone else care to share some favourite - no cost - techniques that work for them?
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