DELRAY BEACH, Florida—There is an enormous connection between the economy and mental health. Money is one of the biggest stressors. A recent Associated Press-AOL Health poll confirms that when people are dealing with large debt, they are more likely to report health problems. Also, a front-page article in The Wall Street Journal [June 10, 2008] highlights the efforts by many who are overwhelmed by debt to band together in sharing groups for relief from the emotional suffering caused by debt and financial failure.
According to John Davis, a licensed mental health counselor in Delray Beach, “Losing income and being unable to make ends meet creates intense anxiety and can lead to depression.”
In his private Delray counseling practice, Mr. Davis has seen patients heal relationships, overcome depression, and deal with the trauma of job loss and financial failure. In the current economy of spiraling prices and with the tragedies and uncertainties of the war, the damage to people’s psyche’s occurs at an alarming rate. Mr. Davis has seen a spike in the number of patients overwhelmed with anxiety, especially about money and finances.
Mr. Davis explains, “Managing multiple stressors at once, including money, can lead to depression, especially for some men, who traditionally don’t share their feelings. Some jobs such as fire safety, medical and police are especially vulnerable, as are professions that are taught to perform their jobs without feeling and thinking. Pausing, taking a fresh look at the life we've created with a professional counselor can be exciting and sobering. Often, beneath our awareness we may have created life patterns that have us frustrated and stuck, longing to understand ourselves and connect meaningfully with other people.”
He explains that small shifts in thinking and perception can quickly lift moods and bring about a greater sense of well-being. He helps his patients develop strength through a clear mind and a compassionate heart. “As children, we learned coping strategies that no longer work for us as adults,” Mr. Davis continues. “Seeking approval excessively, for example, we disappoint ourselves and those we love. Under stress, some of us may turn to alcohol, drugs or even work to distract ourselves. Destructive patterns emerge. We end up hurting and life seems empty. Feelings we aren’t sure of can overwhelm us. Stepping out of these lifelong patterns can bring great healing and relief from stress and worry. Increased insight and minor behavior changes can quickly energize us. Heightened awareness of ourselves and a greater capacity to cope with adversity gradually becomes natural. We are happier each day. ”
Greater wisdom is a resource available to all of us in every moment, Mr. Davis says. How can individuals deal with their issues more effectively during these challenging times?
Mr. Davis has some suggestions for coping with adversity:
1) Slow down. Counterintuitive, of course, but a wise strategy. Allow yourself to “sharpen the saw” by taking time each morning to meditate, pray or just sit quietly. Getting up just twenty minutes earlier can produce extra clarity about the day ahead. Clearing our minds sets up a powerful “rudder” effect that can inoculate us against the inevitable daily ups and downs. We have powerful, inner wisdom that we can call on at will, but it must be practiced. Like precious seeds sprouting in fertile soil, our “resilient self” will grow strong and able to withstand much more than we think. Be mindful of pace throughout the day, especially when transitioning from home to work and back again. Hurrying, especially around our children is almost always counterproductive and stress producing.
2) Be mindful of the power in the present moment. The sky above us is constantly displaying its beauty, while the faces of our children and loved ones supply a boundless source of joy, if we just take it in. Taking a breath, pausing and letting those experiences touch us for a moment is an ancient practice that can bring about emotional wellness. Even in times of collective plenty, some people may still live individual lives of emptiness and desperation. Suffering is part of what it means to be alive. Accepting this truth without judgment can free us to be alive and aware in the “here and now”, releasing a reserve of fresh, balanced energy previously untapped.
3) Walk, run, swim, bike, dance, play tennis, mow the lawn. Raise your daily dose of energizing movement, especially exercise that raises our heart rate and breathing. As human animals, we are blessed with natural pain killing substances that emanate from our brains regularly. Endorphins, released upon exercise are natural mood enhancing chemicals that serve us when we work out and push our physical selves. Even moderate exercise will help to protect us from worry.
4) Help someone else less fortunate and accept no repayment. Even better if you can do it anonymously. Letting go of our ego and worry for a period and concentrating on the well being of someone else is one of the most powerful and healing things we can do. Many of Mr. Davis’ patients also attend AA meetings, where the well worn mantra is “get sober, work the 12 steps, and help someone else.” It is often this third step that brings about astonishing breakthroughs in well being.
5) Moderate your appetite. Practice living on less. Eat and drink mindfully and you will consume less. During stressful times, many of us seek extra comfort. Comfort foods, like heavy red meats, sugar and caffeine. Comfort substances, like excess alcohol and drugs. These are expensive and unhealthy habits. We might think of comfort as a sort of refuge. We all seek comfort now and then. It’s a great place to visit, feel good for a while, take the edge off and then move on. But we forget at times, that being uncomfortable is also a natural part of life. Keeping that discomfort away in an obsessive way can bring about behaviors of excess in our lives that are both debilitating and expensive. Be mindful of your appetite. You will be amazed now and then, by how little you actually need.
John Davis, LMHC has been helping clients succeed for over 20 years. A graduate of the University of Georgia at Athens, he gained his master's degree in Humanistic Psychology at the State University at West Georgia at Carrollton. He served as a counseling resident at Samaritan Center of South Florida, a not for profit, non-denominational, faith based center for families, couples and individuals. He completed Florida requirements for professional licensure during his internship with Hanna McGoey, LMHC, CAP in a private addiction and recovery practice in Boca Raton, Florida. His office is located at 75 NE 6th Avenue, Suite 210, Delray Beach, Florida. For more information visit his Website at www.hancounseling.com.
