Stress Tips For Fears About Losing Your Home Or Job

With all the headlines screaming about how bad the economy is, it’s hard NOT to have some fears about losing your job, home or income, or being afraid for family members or friends who might.  These fears and anxieties cause major stress, affecting your health, mood, work and relationships.

So, what can you do about them?  Sometimes your life situation IS tough, and the danger of loss may be quite real.  For others, it’s still a worried “what-if” that hasn’t happened yet.  Here are some things you can do right now to address feelings of fear, worry or anxiety, no matter what your actual situation is.

1.  Realize that nothing outside of you makes you anxious. It’s your thoughts about the situation that produce the fear, stress and suffering.  Here’s a short list of things to do when that worry comes up:

- STOP as soon as you notice the fear or worry creeping in

- Take 3 deep breaths, from your belly, if you can

- Notice your thoughts – what are they?  Can you be sure without a shred of doubt that they are true and accurate, exactly as you imagine them?

- Ask yourself, “Am I in danger of dying right now, in this moment?”  The answer is almost certainly no.  If you’re not actually at death’s door, chances are there is some action you can take which will make you feel better, even if it’s just calling a friend.

- Choose a thought you’d rather have, one that focuses on what IS working, even if it’s just being glad you have the ability to see, walk or drive a car.  “Even if I can’t change my situation right now, I can choose my thoughts, and I choose to trust that this problem has a solution, and I will be OK.”

- Move into gratitude, as best you can – no beating yourself up if it’s hard to think of anything!  Simple is best – I’m grateful for the beauty of a flower, for friends, for the way I don’t give up, for …….

2.  Stop watching the news, reading the papers and internet headlines!  Stop talking to others about “how bad things are.” One universal law that rings true for me is,  ”What you focus on expands” so it’s a good idea to focus on things you WANT, instead of things you DON’T want.

I love this Native American story I heard from a friend.  A young boy was talking to an elder about his fears and concerns.  He was worried about taking on the responsibilities of a warrior, and was full of anxiety about what might happen.  After listening to him for a few minutes, the elder spoke.  “My son, inside me there is a terrible fight going on between two wolves.  One wolf represents fear, worry, anger, self-pity, regret, greed, arrogance, resentment, guilt,  false pride, competition, superiority and the ego.  The other stands for joy, love, peace , hope, sharing, humility,  serenity, kindness, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.  This same fight is going on in you and every other person too.”  The young man asked, “Which one will win?”  The elder replied, “The one you feed.”

Avoiding negativity and bad news is one simple way to avoid feeding the worry wolf.  When you feel the urge to read a negative story or flip on the news, make an agreement with yourself to do one of these things instead:

- Read an uplifting book

- Listen to peaceful music

- Watch or listen to an educational DVD or CD you’ve been neglecting

- Journal about what’s working in your life

- Meditate

- Walk outside

- Focus on being present, living in this moment and just being curious about whatever is happening

3. Avoid Negative People – this is simple – surround yourself with people who are more positive than negative.  You don’t need other people feeding the wrong wolf!

Please leave your comments if you have other tips to share.  The news may not be as bad as it seems anyway.  A great example – while driving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin today, my husband saw this billboard:

“Attention Pessimists!  93% of Milwaukeeans still have jobs!”