It’s now the time of year when people are starting to make changes in their lives to adapt to the external changes in the atmosphere. Since the temperature has started to fall, the jackets, hats, and gloves have found their way out of the closets and hidden boxes in order to prevent our bodies from feeling the cold air whisking in from the north. The umbrellas and shovels have found their way into the hall closets and back seats of our cars so we are prepared in case of rain or snow. Many people have even gone out to get flu shots to protect themselves from the germs that frequently attack us this time of the year. Mainly, what most people are doing, most likely from past learning experiences, is being preventative, taking control of their lives in order to avoid future conflict. Taking care of our physical well being has become common place in most households this time of year to ensure that the months ahead are as comfortable as possible.
This is also the time of year when many external changes in the atmosphere cause emotional discomfort which often leads to unhappiness. Unfortunately, most of us do not have the tools passed down from generations to prevent such discomforts as depression, anxiety, anger, or stress. There is no box to take out of the closet that holds the materials to comfort and help us feel better. The television advertises such medications as Prozac and Zoloft to ease the discomfort, but they don’t seem to get to the source of the unhappiness. The feelings the drugs give only seem to be euphoric and temporary. So how does one take care of their emotional lives this time of year.
Certain steps can be taken once there is a feeling of discomfort or unhappiness in ones life that can lead to solutions and future preventative skills.
-Seek out the source of the current discomfort or unhappiness.
If there is sudden unhappiness in your life that is showing itself in the form of depression, for example, accept that it is there. Fighting or ignoring it will not result in it going away. Take a look at the last time you were feeling happy and mark that date. Then go over the events in your life from that point to the present, looking for changes that would effect your state of happiness. For example, let’s say that as of two weeks ago you were running three miles a day after work. This activity made you feel happy in many ways. Two weeks ago, it became dark before you left work and as a result, you stopped running, which directly effected your state of happiness.
-Seek out solutions to your unhappiness.
Once you have seen what changes have caused your current situation, look for solutions that will create movement in a positive direction. Staying with the previous example, joining the local health club will allow you to continue to run after work. This will lead to your regaining the benefits from running that contributed to the past happiness.
-Seek out someone who can help find the source and solutions.
Sometimes the causes of unhappiness are more complex than the example stated above and harder to figure out. In such instances, it is sometimes helpful to seek out professional help. A professional counselor can offer the caring, expert assistance that is often needed during these stressful times. A counselor can help you identify your problem and assist you in finding the best way to cope with the situation by changing behaviors that contribute to the problem or by finding constructive ways to deal with a situation that is beyond your personal control.
Taking care of yourself is very important this time of year. So take out those hidden boxes, umbrellas and shovels in preparation for what mother nature is going to throw your way. While you’re doing this, take a look at how you are going to protect yourself from the emotional stress of the season. If you can acknowledge that something is wrong, looking for the answers and creating change can be as rewarding as a warm jacket on a cold winters day.
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