Staying Afloat in Difficult Economic Times:
The Importance of Healthy Psychological Habits

Susan Harper Slate, Ph.D.

I’m writing this article to you in the early spring of 2009. As a country, we’ve already had the bailouts of the major banks and financial institutions, as well as the “retention bonuses” at AIG and Merrill Lynch. Watching CNN these days, you wonder whether you should get up and face the world or crawl back in bed and pull the covers over your head. You may be facing some personal financial crisis: considering a “short sale” on your home, perhaps pulling your children out of private schools, or dealing with a job loss. Perhaps not, but regardless, no doubt someone you know been affected by these economic shifts.

Every one of my clients has expressed how the economy and the current outlook have affected their well-being. I have heard a lot of anxiety and dread: “How much worse can it get?” “I was thinking about going on that trip, but it’s out of the question now.” “The boss walks around and I make sure I look busy all the time.” Interestingly, however, I’ve also heard about gratitude: “I used to think I hated my job, but really it’s not that bad.” “We don’t eat out as often as we used to, but I’m fine with it. We’ve been cooking as a couple and I like it.”

There is something about going through difficult times that can be sobering, but it can also be clarifying and freeing. You rediscover truths, such as what really makes you happy. You may choose to live more simply, perhaps with less stress. People may feel freer to talk about the economic difficulties (after all, we are all in this together) and develop a stronger sense of community.

This is the time, though, to pull out all the stops. By that I mean, its time to ensure that you are doing all you can to keep the best positive attitude, the best psychological and physical health, as you weather this crisis. Many years ago, I attended a seminar in which the leader had been very clear that the workshop was only for experienced therapists who were knowledgeable about several modalities of relaxation techniques and stress reduction. Having finished the course work for biofeedback training, I felt confident my abilities were on par. He started the seminar of about 100 therapists by asking us to raise our hands if we knew these different techniques. He must have asked us about 30 different techniques, and several hands went up with each question: “Do you know ….?” I remember feeling somewhat smug, sitting with my fellow therapists, thinking what a seasoned group we were, how well-trained, how flexible, how versatile. And then he asked “How many of you use these techniques in your daily lives?” There was a hush, a couple of hands went up, and then uproarious laughter. Yes, certainly we could teach these methods, show them to our clients, but how poor we were at helping ourselves. That simple exercise helped change my own use of healthy psychological habits.

During this economic downturn, it is important to develop ways you have discovered to help you create a more balanced, stress-free life. Whether you are mildly affected or experiencing major disturbances to your work or income, it is essential to attempt to keep centered and addressing the issues of your life. Here are some suggestions for staying psychologically fit.