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 Recently, I saw the movie, “Up in the Air” with George Clooney. I wasn’t sure what the movie was about but was intrigued with the title. Plus, I really appreciate the quality of acting that George Clooney offers.The theme of the movie is about folks being laid off from their jobs and the subsequent emotions that are experienced. The movie touched me in many ways because of what I have witnessed with clients, friends and colleagues who have either lost their job or were on the verge of being laid off. Those who had not yet lost their job, were wondering when the proverbially “shoe” was going to drop. When they were going to be told that their position was no longer needed at the company. They also experienced “survivor’s” guilt. That is, keeping their job while their co-workers lost theirs, sometimes finding it hard to maintain a “cheerful” and productive attitude. I cried through part of the movie because of the harsh reality that is happening within our country of folks losing their jobs that they had held for many years, and the sense of shock that filled their reality. Many are being told that though they had done a great job, they were no longer needed. Folks who were hoping to retire within a couple of years, found themselves needing to find another job, with retirement no where in sight. I feel that as a country we are experiencing a blanket of grief that has not been addressed. People who have held their same position in a job for years are getting fired and are shocked with the reality of losing a life long dream of retiring with pride and benefits. How does someone pick themselves back up and look optimistically into the future? And how can we as a nation, support them? I have had the opportunity to work with many folks who are transitioning from their job, either through layoffs or the company they are with declaring bankruptcy. The general sense of hopelessness and despair are often the prevalent emotions that quickly surface. Questions of what to do next, how will I make my monthly mortgage payment, and why is this happening to me, are often the uncertainties and wonderings that individuals express. It’s as if their whole world is turned upside down and they are “up in air” as to what to do next. Their primal needs of food, shelter and clothing are the main focus of their attention. Stress and anxiety are acute and constant, making simple decisions difficult. As I work with these individuals, I offer them some simple steps, that if used daily, will bring some relief and peace of mind to them. The first step is to breathe and slow down enough to begin settling one’s nervous system. Pervasive and acute stress trains the autonomic nervous system which includes our breathing, heart rate and secretion of stress hormones to be on overload. The more we feel stressed and anxious, the more difficult it is to calm the nervous system down. With regular practice of noticing one’s breathing and taking time to stop and breathe, over time, one’s nervous system will begin to slow down. A suggestion is to begin each day with gratitude and “thank yous” for your breath, your beating heart, and your beautiful body. Then begin to focus for a few minutes on your breath. Breathing in and out, and allowing your body to relax. Focus your attention around the area of your heart and breathe in gratitude, appreciation and love for yourself. Allow yourself to be filled with these feelings and notice yourself accepting it. Practice this throughout the day as you step into your life. It can be done anytime, anywhere, with eyes open or closed. With continual practice you will begin to see results. Once we slow ourselves down enough, we can see that there are many options right in front of us. Many times they are just a breath away! Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites       Add your comment |