Tips & Tricks

In this article, my intention is not to take a stand on the current health care debate in the United States. Those readers who know me probably know my views on the health care issues. However, as a professional counselor and a writer on issues related to mental health, I do not feel that this column is an appropriate setting to express my political views.

Despite all of this, I believe that there is at least one aspect of the health care discussion that is not debatable. The current U.S. health care system leads to a lot of emotional stress for employed and unemployed Americans alike. I planned on discussing research exploring the relationship and correlation between the current U.S. health care system and associated stress.

However, I was shocked that I was not able to find any research or discussion on the subject. Therefore, I hope that this article serves as a comfort to those people who are stressed by our current health care system,  a recognition that your stress is being recognized,  an awareness that you are not alone in being stressed out about health care and also a resource that will provide coping techniques.

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Given my current line of work, people are oftentimes surprised to learn that I was an economics major in college. I found economics interesting and a great way way to develop keen critical thinking skills. However, there were basic assumptions inherent in economic theory that I found flawed. One major assumption, was that consumers are rational about how they spend their money and buy goods and services. However, I questioned if consumers actually spent in a manner that led to maximum value from their money? It seemed to me that people often spent money on goods and services that they did not even need, and certainly did not make them happier. C’mon, is buying an $80,000 Hummer or a $100 pair of jeans really going to make a person’s life that much better?

After a bit of investigation, I was pleased to see that empirical research has been done on the very subject that I had privately wondered about; money, happiness, and if a correlation (and of course causation) exists between the two. With unemployment comes greater scarcity of funds, and therefore during tough economic times it is all the more important to use our money in the best way possible. I hope this article helps provide the impetus to do so.
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Has anyone out there ever felt like Michael Corleone in The Godfather III. “Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in.” For example, you’re enjoying a pleasant Sunday with your family and/or friends. Perhaps some baseball, bbq and swimming. Sure you’re unemployed, but the sun is out, it’s a beautiful summer day and mostly, what’s better than some quality time with friends and family? Then something happens to suddenly shift your mood 180 degrees.

You turn on the TV for a bit, and as you are flipping channels stumble across a news report featuring the dire state of the U.S. economy, possibly talking about unemployment rates, forclosures or personal economic tragedy. Or, perhaps the radio is on FM, you are in a state of euphoria, not only spending quality time with friends and family, but also listening to the inspiring lyrics of Bruce Springsteen. The station goes to commercial and you decide to see what’s on AM radio. 1010 Wins (A New York radio station, I promise I won’t usually be New York centric!) comes on and you hear, “This is 1010 wins, you give us 22 minutes, we’ll give you the world. Our first story, more Americans unemployed then ever, will the economy ever get better?”

Like last week’s article alluded to, being unemployed or worried about unemployment today is very different than having unemployment on your mind during the Great Depression. For lack of a better term, mass media simply wasn’t as massive during the great depression as it is today. Today, we are constantly being bombarded with reminders of the state of the economy, even when we are least expecting it or least ready for it. But, why all the negatively regarding the economy in the media?  Why, not more success stories of people and businesses thriving; people and businesses who are essentially spitting in the face of all the naysayers regarding the economy?

I would contend that the mass media’s concentration on negative news reports about the economy follows the overall trend and pattern of the mass media (for example, nightly news), typically concentrating on negativity as a whole. After watching the nightly news, a person may think that our society is on the brink of self-destruction. Instead of  news stories about people helping out other people, an innovative new idea or a local success story; gun violence, drug crimes and general fear dominate the news.

Alas, the question still has yet to be answered, why all the negativity in the mass media? For one, negatively seems to sell. Despite oftentimes being considered the fourth branch of government, a watchdog if you will, the media is also a business. Being a business, your favorite radio or television station is doing all it can to increase profits. Higher ratings, lead to greater add revenue, which lead to greater profit. If reporting the news in a negative, albeit skewed manner is what maximizes profits, so be it.

Most importantly, what can be done by you, the individual, the faithful reader regarding all the negativity constantly entering homes, neighborhood bbq’s, and in turn increasingly anxious minds everywhere. First, attempt to get some truly fair and balanced news regarding the economy (no, I am not talking about Fox News!). Upon hearing a negative news story, search the internet for a positive news story about the economy. These positive stories are out there, they just require some searching. Also, when negative news about the economy gets you down, think about all the reasons why you are likely to achieve gainful employment soon; you are a hard worker, experienced, enthusiastic, well spoken, etc.

In the end, this article is about controlling your own thoughts, emotions and outlook when it comes to unemployment. Not providing a radio bit, or television news story the power to change your mood at the drop of a hat. You can rise above this phenomena. Take a 360 degree viewpoint (as opposed to the narrow, negative view the majority of mass media takes)  by looking at positive economy news, in addition to reminding yourself why you are such a desirable employee! Let’s take the power back; controlling our own happiness, thoughts and feelings, as opposed to allowing Tom Brokaw the power to do so.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. A nice old saying for the age old economic down turn we have seen time and time again. Economic downturns are as consistent as the weather; inevitable and unpredictable. Each time we find ourselves rushing to understand how it happened, who to blame and how to fix it.

What I have noticed more now than during previous economic downturns is people coping more. With unemployment at a 20-year high, this downturn has hit us hard. Individuals are willing to sacrifice more to remain employed - an unfortunate scenario or a possible realization that certain jobs were overcompensating - and even take the initiative to suggest these cuts before they get the axe. Those already part of the unemployed have a tougher predicament; they don’t have a job that they can negotiate aspects of to keep. But, a new development (something I initially thought was mad) has evolved: working for free. YES, I did just say that.

As Bob Dylan said, “The times they are a’chang’n” and so people are as well. They’re adapting to the changed environment. And so, us drones have migrated to a new idea of dealing with unemployment; a novel one at that. Think about it. You just got the boot. You take a few days to a week to assess your predicament and then jump back into the fray to look for a job. Maybe you anticipated your exit for employment and have already started the search; good for you. Either way, you most likely have some free time and having a blank spot on your resume for however long it takes to find a job is not always nominal.

Working for free might just be a great way to fill that gap, gain some new skills and possibly widen your job search and increase your contact network. It’s a great way to keep your resume looking fresh. Think of it as working an unpaid internship that will help you get gainfully employed. So, don’t look at it as a sign of desperation, but dedication to polishing your resume.

Of course you can always get a job waiting tables and get a little green in your pockets, but then again you may be able to work somewhere beneficial to your career because you’re willing to do it for free. Besides the usual non-profits you can work for, many companies are looking to hire free labor or are asking their employees to work for. Just a few months ago, British Airways asked some of its employees to work a month for free.

Companies have something to benefit from this situation. Not only do they get free labor, but additionally it is also a great way for a company to create a pipeline of talent to draw from when the economy turns around. When a position does open up in the company or the company begins hiring again, it will most likely look internally to fill positions. For both the employer and employee, it brings long-turn benefits. You’re training new potential hires from which the company has its choice and as an unpaid employee you’re gaining experience with no contractual obligation. You work as long  and as hard as you want. What’s the worst they can do, fire you?

Despite it actually being illegal for a company to have you work for them for below minimum wage, many are people are finding that working for free gives them more appeal when applying for a job along with countless thousands of other applicants. Some individuals argue that if you have the skills for the job, you should be paid for it, but with a lot of companies having the work but not the revenue to hire, it may be a win-win situation.

Often times once you have been unemployed for a few months this can be a decision between having an indelible white space on your resume or keeping your skills sharp and mind in the game. It may seem like an act of desperation or the sign of a true devotion, but in the end it will likely yield long-term beneifts.

I was walking down the streets of Chicago, enjoying a pleasant, but seemingly average day.  I looked up, and a sign in big letters stating, “50% off all books” was staring me in the face. Being one who can’t pass up a good deal, I decided to walk in the store and check it out.

Perusing through the store, I found a book titled “What Should I Do with My Life” by Po Bronson.  Intrigued, I read the back cover, and sure enough the book was a collection of stories (a social documentary if you will) about people who were engaging in career exploration, attempting to find career’s that fit their identity, personality and that they were passionate about. Little did I know, this book would change my life.

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Recently I have been feeling life’s expenses burn a hole in my wallet more and more. Even my modest social expenses, which are truly modest, seem to be a burden. Take it a step further and say you recently got the boot or are between jobs; the pain from your wallet would sky rocket.

I’ve thought of ways to attempt to fill in the bottomless pit my money seems to conveniently find. An extra job, working more overtime or even selling my soul - though I believe I already sold it once to pay my electric bill. One issue that always stands in the way is that I do not have a lot of free time. Those of us with regular jobs or looking for employment probably do not find the prospect of going to work after putting time in at your job (looking for a job is one in itself) very appealing. Then one day I was reading my recent issue of the Economist - see, I’m always in a financial frame of mind - and I realized that a great way to make some extra cash without excessive commitment is participating in scientific/medical research.

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To read Part I of this series, click here.

Research shows that societal messages and culture play a large role in how people experience unemployment and view work within their overall identity (Artazcoz, Benach, Borrell & Cortes, 2004). Men often receive the societal message that they must be the primary breadwinner in the family, and that their main family role and identity is to provide financially. However, as Luther Vandros and Janet Jackson said, “The best things in life are free.”

Use unemployment as an opportunity to expand your identity, both within your family and outside your family. Men are certainly much more then their work. For example, my identity includes a wide variety of aspects, such as a son, brother, professional counselor, friend, advocate for social justice, lifelong learner and of course, a New York Yankee fan! Use unemployment as an opportunity to become closer with your son, daughter, wife, husband, partner, mother, grandson, etc. I would venture to bet that the time you spend and love you provide to family and friends will be more valuable and cherished then any amount of Benjamin’s. 

Furthermore, unemployed individuals that engaged in solution-oriented coping techniques, such as short-term budgeting, experienced greater psychological well-being during unemployment (Waters & Moore, 2001). I know; going over a budget makes unemployment and the financial hardship that goes along with unemployment all the more real. However, short-term budgeting also makes financial situations more manageable, and therefore less stressful. Therefore, don’t be like the student that leaves his or her paper till the last minute, only to see his or her stress level rise due to the impending anxiety of the unknown.  

According to research, when unemployed it helps to pick up the phone and call a friend, volunteer and/or join an alumni organization (McKee-Ryan, Song, Wanberg & Kinicki, 2005). Keeping a daily schedule that involves both job searching and leisure activities is also shown to increase psychological well-being during unemployment (Waters & Moore, 2001). Additionally, try to think to all of the positive personality traits that you have and accomplishments you have achieved.

Think back to the adversity you have faced in the past and how you soared past that adversity. Suddenly you will begin to feel more optimistic about the future and begin to say “Yes I can!”

Greg Welikson is a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education Applied Psychology Program, graduating with a Master’s of Philosophy in Professional Counseling and Psychology. The author can be reached at greg.welikson@gmail.com regarding questions, comments or for a reference list of the sources cited in the article.

I was mid-way through my last semester as a master’s degree counseling psychology student at the University of Pennsylvania. Term papers and finals were closing in. For my professional development class, in which topics such as multicultural competence in counseling, community mental health, ethical care and private practice were covered, I had to choose a term paper topic. The professor asked that our topic be important to our professional development and not have been covered extensively in class.

Just as finals and term papers were closing in, so was potential unemployment.

I had yet to find a job (and am still in job search mode!) and unemployment and psychological well-being had not been covered in class. Furthermore, with the recent economic downturn and increasing levels of unemployment, I had been working with several unemployed clients at my internship, and will likely work with unemployed clients in the future. I wanted to know what the research said, regarding the psychological effects of unemployment and also what individuals can do in order to increase their psychological well-being during unemployment.

The research results were not surprising; unemployment and psychological well-being had an inverse relationship, unemployment being correlated with decreased psychological well-being. Decreased psychological well-being included increased anxiety, increased symptoms of depression and decreased self-esteem (McKee-Ryan, Song, Wanberg & Kinicki, 2005).

However, I wish to concentrate on what can be done about the decreased psychological well-being that often results from unemployment.

First, what does the research say? Overall, unemployed individuals who have positive social support experience greater psychological well-being than unemployment individuals who do not have positive social support (McKee-Ryan, Song, Wanberg & Kinicki, 2005). Therefore, I would suggest being sure that positive social support is present in your life, especially since unemployed and employed alike, most people experience a yearning to feel a sense of connectedness with other people (a sense of connectedness that sometimes gets lost when a job is lost). Increased social support can come from a variety of sources, including friends, family, alumni associations, volunteer opportunities, professional organizations, fun extracurricular activities (such as a softball league!), etc.

Keeping a daily schedule/routine has also been shown to increase psychological well-being during unemployment, specifically through increasing self-esteem and decreasing depressed symptoms (Waters & Moore, 2001). Therefore, just because a job is no longer in the picture doesn’t mean a daily routine has to be out the window. A daily routine could include, job searching from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M, getting lunch with a friend, spouse or partner from 12 P.M. to 1 P.M., going for a jog from 1 P.M. to 2 P.M., reading a book from 2 P.M. to 3 P.M., job searching from 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. and then spending time relaxing with family and/or friends from 5 P.M. on. Obviously, the daily routine does not have to be so rigid, but you the idea. The daily routine can be looked as an opportunity to re-connect with family and friends, re-discover a new hobby and not least of which job search.

I wish to also describe an effective technique that counselors often use with clients to increase client self-esteem, known as cognitive restructuring. For instance: An unemployed 30-year-old female Caucasian client who formerly worked as a corporate lawyer (before getting laid off) comes into therapy and says that she “is a loser” because she is unemployed. The therapist could challenge the client’s assertion that she “is a loser” by pointing out to the client specific facts that she has told the therapist, such as that she always received positive performance reviews, that most attorneys at her old law firm were laid off, that she graduated from law school (an accomplishment in and of itself), and that she has been working hard by actively looking for new employment.

I believe that the above intervention is best done by a therapist, due to the unbiased perspective and professional training and experience that counselors and psychologists possess. However, it is also helpful for unemployed individuals to engage in cognitive restructuring whenever those thoughts of “I’m a loser” or “it’s completely my fault” enter the mind.

For more on Unemployment and Psychological Health, look for Part II tomorrow.

Greg Welikson is a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education Applied Psychology Program, graduating with a Master’s of Philosophy in Professional Counseling and Psychology. The author can be reached at greg@thecanned.com regarding questions, comments or for a reference list of the sources cited in the article.

Sitting in my cubicle each day reminds me of the movie Office Space and the line about how humans were not meant to sit in cubicles all day, staring at computer screens. That statement really hits home because that is literally what I do all day. I know I shouldn’t be complaining; having a job right now is something to be thankful for. But sometimes I feel like up and leaving the job and I know I’m not alone.

The sense of hopelessness created by the current economy has definitely fostered a bleak outlook for anyone entering the job market, especially those recently canned or graduated. However, there is hope for those of you who loathe their jobs or are sick of the “Don’t call us, we’ll call you” routine. If you feel like your back is against a wall, you hate your job, want to go back to school or just want some time to think about your future without going bankrupt in the process, teaching English abroad may just be the remedy to your predicament. It may sound risky, slightly irresponsible and downright mad, but before accept your current job or job search as the status quo give the idea consideration. As crazy as the idea sounds, it may just be the thing to get a break from the 9-5 grind, give some thought to your career or prepare to go back to school - God knows the last thing I want to do when I come home from work is study for the GRE. Read the rest of this entry »