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5 Tips for Avoiding Depression

October 9, 2008

Whether we call it a recession or a depression, things are looking a little scary out there.

My grandparents lived through the Great Depression, and from what I can gather, there is a good reason that it was called a Depression. Not having enough money to meet your basic necessities can be very depressing. Many of us are looking at this time of change with great anxiety and fear. However, with a few major changes in your lifestyle and habits you may find that this is an opportunity to re-examine your priorities, build better relationships, live healthier lives and have more fun. Call me crazy, but if I have your attention, read on.

Here are some tips that I learned from my grandparents, and from my own experience, about how to stay happy and healthy during times of great economic crisis:

Tip # 1: Don't Spend What You Don't Have

My grandparents lived into their mid-eighties, bought four homes and helped my sister with the downpayment on a fifth, always had at least two cars, and helped pay the way for my two sisters and I through college, all without ever establishing credit. That's right, they always paid in cash. They didn't have incredibly lucrative careers either; my grandmother was a school teacher and my grandfather was in the airforce. They were just very thrifty, always spending within their means and saving up for a rainy day.

At first it might seem restrictive to only spend what you have. You might have to cut back dramatically on purchases that you once took for granted. However, at second glance, it is a great opportunity to recognize what is really important in your life.

When we buy stuff that we don't need because we can pay for it later, we end up with a bunch of stuff that clutters our lives. When we buy only what we need that we are able to pay for now, we end up with only the things that are very important. Take this moment in time to reflect on the significance of only allowing into your life that which is important. That alone can be a profound, and positive change.

Tip #2 Buy Local

For years corporate America has been telling us that the best way to improve the economy is to buy, buy, buy. Now it is time to tell corporate America Bye, Bye, Bye. Small local businesses provide the majority of sustainable jobs, creating money streams that continue to circulate within your community which will eventually make their way back to you, so make a point to support them.

Buying local produce at the Farmer's Market for example, is a huge way to support the local economy, and save the environment, and it is much healthier for your family. Since it doesn't have to be boxed up and shipped thousands of miles away, it is always fresher whether or not is is organic, so it is just better all around.

Tip # 3 Make it Yourself

Anything you can make yourself you will save money on and feel more pride and accomplishment about. Clothing, jewelery, artwork, furniture, food, toys...we each have our own skills that we can utilize.

Food is probably the most common and important one. If it comes in a box, a can or a sealed plastic bag it is probably not contributing much to the local economy, creating tons of environmental waste, and definitely not as good for your body. Eating at home and combining fresh, whole foods takes more time, but you will save so much money and live a much longer, healthier and happier life. If you grow it yourself it is that much better. Even if you live in an apartment you can grow some of your food yourself in window boxes.

Tip # 4 Barter, trade, exchange

All words for the same activity, and essentially what our money is supposed to represent; an exchange of goods or services. This works well with tip #3. If you can't cook but you can build furniture, make an arrangement with a friend to build them shelves in exchange for some healthy home cooked meals.

Bartering can be tricky if you don't establish values ahead of time. (Probably why the money system was created in the first place.) To avoid conflict, establish ahead of time an agreed upon value for the exchange. (The building of this bookshelf is worth ten home cooked meals for example, or even establish a money value, whether or not you have the money to exchange. I am giving you $200 worth of bookshelf building for $200 worth of meals, at $20 a meal. That sort of thing)

Tip # 4 Re-use and Share

My grandparents loved thrift stores and garage sales. Although I didn't appreciate it much as a kid, now I see how delightful it can be to treasure hunt this way. It isn't only economical, it's also environmental.

I recently took my son to an eco-birthday party. Instead of new gifts, the parents requested pre-loved items. I always have my son look through his old toys to pass on at birthday parties, so this was especially neat that it was specifically requested. It really teaches the gift of both giving and sharing.

I love sharing. Throughout my childhood I remember my grandparents had a little wooden plaque in the bathroom that said "Save water, bathe with a friend".

Sharing doesn't always come naturally. I often tell my son, "the more we share the more we have". I think that there is a perception that the opposite is true, that if we share we have to give something up. This is because sharing only works if there is an equal exchange. If one person is trying to share with someone who isn't sharing back, it is no longer sharing, it is now giving and taking. If we all shared with each other all of the time, the world would be a marvelous place.

The more we share the less we need, and the less we have to spend. Just sharing a ride to work or school in the morning can make a huge difference economically and it's so much more fun than driving alone. Which brings me to tip #5...

Tip #5 Decrease your own dependency on Foreign Oil

Ride a bike, walk, take public transportation. All of these things will take the money out of the hands of the greedy oil mongers and put that money back where it belongs: in your pocket.

I hope some of these tips are helpful for you. I may share more tips in the upcoming weeks, and I welcome your thoughts and suggestions as well.

Taymar