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The recession is resulting in an increase in suicides, depression and alcohol abuse; according to recent news reports.

In the last few days it was reported that a major Conference is to discuss the impact of the recession on suicide levels in the country. Console (a leading charity working in this area) believe these difficult economic circumstances can cause depression; break up relationships, and alcohol abuse. There is a need to promote positive mental health at this time.

Men are a high risk group because of having serious difficulties accessing and expressing their feelings. They find it difficult to verbalise their work or financial worries, and feel their work is their worth. They are reluctant to seek medical attention, or look for support and hence are at increased risk.

All Parenting begins with the Parent

DO YOU HAVEA DEEP SENSE OF YOUR WORTH AND BELIEF IN YOUR CAPABILITY? IF SO IT WILL BE MIRRORED IN HOW WELL YOU LOOK AFTER YOURSELF ON A DAILY BASIS.

Each of us expresses ourselves in each of the following ways:

Physically: How do you feel about yourself physically?

Are you moderate in food and alcohol?

Have you found an exercise you enjoy?

Do you rush and race, drive to fast?

Do you ask for help and support if you need it and rest when tired?

Do you take too much on, never say No and operate from tiredness &                                                                                      overload?

Intellectually: Do you think you’re smart enough?

How do you respond when someone asks you to do something? Do you immediately say’ I cannot do it’ or do you think ‘Yes, I could do that’?

Do you believe in your vast intelligence and potential? After all, we use less than 2% of our brain. If you believe you can do it, you probably can. If you think you cannot, then you probably cannot. Always focus on your effort, not the performance.

Social: Can you say ‘I am special and unique’?

If you value yourself, you are connected into your specialness and your uniqueness. You have a quiet social presence, you relate to others as equals and with respect. You enjoy enduring friendships that sustain you when times are tough. You are able share worries and concerns ‘A problem shared, is a problem halved’. Suppression leads to depression, therefore the importance of expression cannot be overstated. Expression of worries is crucial when one is overburdened.

Emotionally: How do you feel about yourself?

Every thought we think is creating our future!

Do you know that our deepest need is for unconditional love? That means to feel loved for who we are, not loved for what we do. Most of us were brought up on a diet of conditional love where we felt loved for the good school report etc. Therefore, we need change that to a feeling of accepting ourselves as we are, and we can make changes in an area we choose to.  How do you feel about yourself? Every thought you think is an affirmation, only so often they are negative ones, and they are shaping your life. Turn your negative thoughts into positive affirmation, and miracles happen!”

Behaviour: How do you feel about your behaviour?

Catch yourself being good at every little thing!

How we behave is just one of the ways we express ourselves, and we do not always get it right! Don’t be so hard on yourself! The bottom line for everyone is “I’m not good enough” but good enough for who? Stop criticising yourself, and instead say “I handled that well” or “I did my best”. Accept yourself exactly as you are and you can make changes.

Creative: How do you express yourself creatively?

Through hobbies, interests & leisure.

Cooking, gardening, music, art, sport, etc. Do you realise how gifted you are? Taking time to develop new skills and challenging yourself is important in making you feel competent and confident. Take time to express yourself creatively.

Spiritual: Time to relax and reflect is essential

We all know that taking three deep slow breaths releases all tension and helps us to let go of stress and pressure. Taking time to reflect is essential, inside ourselves we have all the answers, we just need to stop and listen. Taking time for self acceptance and self approval are the keys to positive change.

Are you willing to parent yourself first?  It will change your life!

Valuing and respecting self is the way to resolve inner fears & insecurities.

How you relate to yourself, will determine how you relate to everybody else. Therefore, value and respect yourself for the sake of others. When you do this, everything in your life flows, when you change, everything else changes too.

When you learn to have an enduring, valuing and respectful relationship with yourself, then you will enjoy a solid sense of self, from where no one can demean you.

Whether you are in or out of a job, parenting yourself will result in feeling better about yourself. The person at the interview who has the solid sense of self and positive outlook is likely to be the person offered the job. Parenting yourself will raise your level of self esteem, and you will be able to make the distinction ‘I am not my work, I am more than that’. In addition, it will positively influence your child’s levels of self esteem also.

This article was written by Sheila O’Malley, Practical Parenting, web: www.practicalparenting.ie

For further information

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Click here to find and book a class or gain parenting tips by checking out some helpful Parental videos, Parenting articles or our Parents magazine. Please contact Sheila with any query.