Well, hey there! It's been awhile, I know, but truthfully it has been a hectic few months for us all, right? Some of us have been "separated" from our jobs and all of us are trying to figure out how to weather the
New Depression without getting...well.....depressed. We are definitely living in volatile times but this isn't news, is it? Life has always been unpredictable and change is the only constant. Still it seems that those changes are happening quicker than they used to. So let me ask: what supports do you have in place to help you in these rapidly changing times?
Hopefully your internal and external loci of support are those people, life lessons and experiences that stay with you through thick and thin.
Adaptability can make all the difference in how you cope but even more important than that is Perspective. Your outlook and arsenal of good and bad habits can make or break a good period in your life. For example, how many times have you ruined a perfectly good experience or moment with a bad mood or bad attitude? It might have felt like you were at the mercy of your emotions which may or may not be true. Sure you might have not had any control over your initial emotional response but you certainly had some control over how you acted it out. That is the good news about perspective and habits, my friend, they are changeable! Alright, before I go off the inspirational deep end, let me just walk you through a few alternatives to some habits and perspectives you might currently have. They're free :)
- Habit 1: You drink too much coffee ( you know this because you get a headache, the jitters and homicidal without it).
- ALTERNATIVE : Switch to tea every other day. Yerba Mate tea packs a serious energy punch without the aforementioned side effects and green tea is often touted for it's health benefits.
- Habit 2: You don't use the gym even though you pay for it.
- Alternative: Keep gym clothes in your work bag. Not working? now is a good time to focus on getting and staying healthy.
- Habit 3: You hate the gym so you never work out.
- Alternative: Most of city's parks are home to some kind of free or low priced exercise class in the warmer months. No membership required!
- Habit 4: You're eating and partying like it's 1999.
- Alternative: I like a good party myself but what's there to look forward to if you always overindulge? It's like eating ice-cream everyday: it won't be as good and face facts, you aren't invincible. Overindulgence eventually shows up externally.
- Habit 5: You're negative or at least that's what that jerk over there told you.
- Alternative: First, consider the source. If it isn't your annoying cubicle mate/self absorbed sibling or friend calling you out then re-evaluate how you speak to others and yourself. Constant complaining or putting others down is depressing for you and everyone around you. If your mental reel is stuck on " snark" maybe you need some help in the form of a vacation or a counseling session.
- Habit 6: You're insincerely happy
- Alternative: Yeah, sometimes you have to fake it until you make it but constantly being phony is a lot of added pressure. Who are you trying to impress? There's nothing wrong with feeling blue sometimes but go through it and let it pass so the good stuff can come.
Nothing and no-one is perfect but since we're being inundated with bad news these days, it seems like an ideal time to take stock of the things we have control over. Start with one or two things and see what you can do for yourself.
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