Millions of Americans who felt financially secure just a few years ago are now coping with long-term unemployment, sharp cuts in living standards, foreclosure, bankruptcy, and a deep sense of failure.
In a newly released New York Times Poll, 46% of unemployed Americans reported feeling shame and embarrassment regarding their unemployed status. Over 70% of those polled, have characterized their financial situation as going from bad to worse.
Whole families have become affected by the stress of unemployment. Of particular concern is the fact that nearly 40% of American parents report that they have observed behavioral changes in their children as a result of the family’s financial struggles. Nearly half of the respondents in the poll described the recession as a hardship. Those that have been unemployed longer, claim to experience even more acute forms of emotional stress.
Our emotions are very powerful and can often dictate how we confront and prepare for life-changing challenges. Emotions connect people to one another and to our collective society. If you are not aware of how your emotions can affect your judgments and actions, you can fall into the trap of “reacting” to circumstances, rather then “choosing” a course of action based on reasoned judgment.
How Emotions Control Your Actions Your emotions enable you to understand yourself and empathize with other people’s situations. Emotions also influence the communication process. Major scientific studies have concluded that over 90% of all communication is nonverbal and emotionally based. We are said to be emotional beings and as such we are always learning how to manage and control our emotional state. Yet we are also inclined to lose touch with our emotions the more we try to control them. It is this paradigm that causes us confusion and anger - the very emotions we try to avoid.
Emotions have evolved in humans – initially they served the purpose to alert us of imminent danger – an immediate threat to our survival. The survival instinct works to inform us to either fight or flee a dangerous situation. By understanding this fact we acknowledge the positive role emotions play to keep us alert and informed of potential danger - but it can also cause us to become emotionally disconnected in unhealthy and dangerous ways.
Emotional Disconnection – Unhealthy And Dangerous We grow up as children learning and dealing with a complete range of emotions, from fear and anger, to curiosity and joy. Emotions are experienced as a child rather then controlled and as such there is no blockage in the process between feeling and expressing emotion. When we avoid our emotions we alienate ourselves and those around us.
One price for ignoring our emotions is that we become disconnected from ourselves. We become prone to obsessive and fearful thoughts, addictive behaviors and confused thinking. Suddenly, a pink slip turns into a personal acknowledgement of failure and shame.
You can become beset with fear and painful emotions that can overwhelm even the strongest of people. The mistake occurs however when we try to emotionally disconnect ourselves from our feelings rather then having the wakefulness to experience them rather then denying their presence. The more you distance yourself from emotions, the more distant you become to others.
Unquestionably, going through the emotional process can both exhausting and frustrating. This is why you cannot effectively manage your emotions unless you first learn how to manage your stress. The two are inextricably connected.
There are ways of proactively managing and reducing your worry and stress levels such as meditation breathing exercises, and other types of aerobic based activity. You can also seek counseling from stress reduction experts.
In Troubled Times - Strengthen Your Emotional Awareness Strengthen emotional awareness requires first that you reconnect with your emotional side, including tapping into emotions such as anger, shame, and fear. As you start the process, keep the following facts about emotions and emotional awareness in mind. It is the very act of being aware of your emotions that actually removes you from its grip.
Finally, emotions tend to be transient – they come and go – they are not permanent features of the human personality. With active exercise and meditation, the physical sensations of stress can be reduced to manageable levels. The key word here is manageable. You are in control of how you feel and how you manage your body and mind. Reclaiming your domain over your own emotions will allow you to work through life’s troubles with grace and self-respect.
For more information on solving legal and financial trouble, how to deal with resulting emotions and stress visit
GotTrouble.com