 |
|
|
|
June 8th, 2012
03:19 PM ET
Spend money mindfully to stress lessEditor's note: CNN contributor Amanda Enayati ponders the theme of seeking serenity: the quest for well-being and life balance in stressful times.
In poll after poll, Americans say that the state of their finances is one of the biggest sources of their stress. “People are spending money they do not have to buy things they may not need,” observed Tony Wagner, Innovation Education Fellow at Harvard’s Technology & Entrepreneurship Center and author of “Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World,” during our recent interview. While researching his book, Wagner discovered that more than 70% of our economy is based on consumer spending. Increasingly, over the last 20 or so years, that consumer spending has been fueled by debt. The savings rate in 2007, immediately before the economic collapse we are still slogging through, was negative 2%. That kind of spending is unsustainable, said Wagner, “economically, environmentally and spiritually.” When we consider mindfulness, most of us think of yoga, meditation, even mindful eating - not the way we spend. But our spending habits are often mindless and automatic, like a constantly dripping faucet, as we dig ourselves further and further into debilitating debt. Embarking upon a mindfulness practice when it comes to spending can help reduce stress and improve mental and physical health, according to a significant body of scientific research on the practice of mindfulness. It also provides us with a greater sense of control. It introduces an individually driven, spiritual aspect of the solution to our larger economic problem, and gives each of us the opportunity to reflect and gain important insights about our relationship with money and why we spend it. Dr. Jan Chozen Bays, author of “How to Train a Wild Elephant & Other Adventures in Mindfulness,” believes that most of us would be well-served by practicing greater mindfulness in all areas of our lives, including spending. She defines mindfulness as “deliberately paying full attention to what is happening around you and within you—in your body, heart and mind. Mindfulness is awareness without criticism or judgment.” Bays offers a few important suggestions for those interested in undertaking an exercise in conscious, mindful spending. Surf the urge Bays suggests that every time the impulse arises to buy something, you ask yourself: Do I really truly need this? Do I need it now? This is called “surfing the urge,” a technique also used with eating disorders. When the urge arises to acquire something, surf it, stay with it for a while. Bays asks: “How many times have you thought: ‘I need one of these things’ and for some reason you can’t get to the store. Then later you can’t even recall what it was you needed. The urge that seemed so compelling at the time disappeared entirely.” She recommends building in a delay while you question whether you truly need to make the purchase. What are the alternatives to buying? What if you save the money instead? Question the desire “We have a notion that our desires need to be satisfied right away. We have this urgent need for instant gratification,” says Bays. But what is the need you are trying to fulfill? Are you really hungry? Are you anxious? Do you need a distraction? You must determine whether what you want to buy will truly make you happy, or if it will just keep the endless wheel of desire going. Avoid habitual momentum We can get caught in our habits and keep going along a well-worn track, but momentum often comes from habit and impulse, not from being present, says Lee Lesser, a teacher of sensory awareness, a mindful meditation technique. Lesser recommends resisting the momentum and becoming more conscious and deliberate about spending habits. Stay with discomfort Life is not always comfortable, and many of us have a problem being present with that reality. It’s so easy to be disconnected. We get caught in our thoughts and worries, and in what we think will fill up the space and take away pain. But you will encounter suffering in life. We try in modern society to deny that, to buy our way out of it - but of course you can’t, says Bays. None of us can, not even the wealthy. Mindfulness teaches us that there is no place to go but here, in the present moment, observes Lesser. When we are able to focus on the present, the discomfort changes and we can offer attention to things in a way that is meaningful and comforting. Rest in your breath Lesser recommends that you pause and focus on your breathing. Becoming mindful of the breath can be profoundly comforting. Use the sensation of your breath as an anchor for consciousness in the present moment. You may eventually widen this awareness to include other senses - sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. Offer real intimacy Resist the idea that you can make yourself, your children and your grandchildren happy by buying them stuff. “What we really want, what our children really want, is true intimacy, a sense of connectedness,” says Bays. Research shows that true intimacy reduces stress and is protective during traumatic times. A sense of security reduces stress hormone levels in the body. “Children want your time, your attention, your love.” These are the things that truly make us happy. The desire for material things is only satisfied briefly, and then more desire arises. Value your life’s energy Ultimately, says Bays, money is a symbol of energy. It’s a way to buy energy, to trade energy. Before you make any purchase, ask yourself whether it’s worth your effort and your (or someone else’s) life’s energy. Would you prefer to use it to buy yet another pair of shoes, or would you rather spend it in another way? Save it, perhaps, or use it to go on a retreat or vacation that may change you or expand who you are, in some substantial way? “Perhaps you decide you prefer the shoes,” notes Bays, “and that’s fine. Just be sure you’re making that decision consciously.” Opt for true satisfaction In the end, says Bays, we all want to be happy, but not the happiness we see in advertisements, where you are on the roller coaster, laughing hysterically and holding up a can of soda! We want the simple kind of happiness, the kind that does not come from stuff. There are things we need to sustain ourselves. For everything else, pause and consciously consider: Will this buy me happiness? Or will it go on to contribute to more stress, anxiety and dysfunction? Follow @amandaenayati on Twitter or at facebook.com/amanda.enayati
Next entry »6 tips for minimizing cell phone radiation
« Previous entryTools you'll need for your first triathlon
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
Would you consider embarking upon a mindful spending challenge?
cialis e20 https://cialishav.com/ – buy cialis over the counter usa cialis from mexico
anthem online pharmacy rx pharmacy near me king pharmacy
cialis black 800mg reviews https://ckacialis.com/ – cialis nz overnight cialis delivery
generic cialis overnight delivery https://cialisjla.com/ – cialis no prescriotion generic cialis
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these second life websites and blogs
http://bgblogging.com/2009/03/24/in-honor-of-ada-lovelace-day/
grocery store pharmacy pharmacy tech test online canadian mail pharmacy
252729 391394What a outstanding viewpoint, nonetheless is just not produce every sence by any means discussing this mather. Just about any technique thanks and also i had try and discuss your post directly into delicius but it surely appears to be an issue within your blogging is it possible you ought to recheck this. thank you just as before. 441511
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a online game where you can do anything you want. Second life is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these sl websites and blogs
http://lostbiro.com/blog/?page_i&paged=82
how do you get free samples of cialis cialis without a rx cialis over the counter usa
perscription cialis cialis vs.levitra montreal drug cialis
united pharmacy online ed pills that work quickly flying with prescription drugs
walmart cialis off brand cialis cialis sale online
cialis generic timeline buy cialis through paypal buy liquid cialis online
genic cialis uses for cialis other than ed super active cialis
cialis tadalafil & dapoxetine [url=https://ckacialis.com/ ]viagra no prescription cialis[/url] cialis from india
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a online game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these sl websites and blogs
http://lostbiro.com/blog/?paged=27
canada-pharmacy-365 tylenol with codeine online pharmacy buy viagra pharmacy 100mg
2015 On 10 March. The last New York Museum is written in New York.The musician is very cute
http://www.royalhairbraiding.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/b4f8wmahkgq1f7v.html
pharmacy classes online [url=https://pharmacyken.com/ ]xenical canadian pharmacy[/url] medplus pharmacy store locator
custom rx pharmacy kroger pharmacy store hours oxford online pharmacy
medicine store pharmacy Verapamil drug store pharmacy technician
cialis news cialis at walmart cialis for sell
generic cialis online purchase cialis 800 cialis hk
buy cialis at walmart how to buy cialis us cialis vi
canada drugs pharmacy checker no 1 canadian pharmacy community rx pharmacy
This was great! I would like you to clean up all this spam though
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusufhanafy
long term effects of cialis tadalafil (cialis) off brand cialis
cvs cialis coupon what is cialis 5mg used for viagra and cialis combination
safe online canadian pharmacies prescription drugs to stop drinking alcohol pharmacy store clipart
cialis time of onset where to get generic cialis without prescription safe cialis online
cialis generic 20 mg 30 pills cialis adderall cialis cheap free shipping
free cialis online how to get cialis without a doctor generic cialis names
cialis generic cambodia order online cialis with dapoxetine lowest price generic cialis
non prescription canadian pharmacy canada prescriptions drugs how to get drugs from canada
drugstore beetle is it safe to buy from canadian pharmacy online canada drugs online
This was great! I would like you to clean up all this spam though
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusufhanafy
hcq medication clorochina hydroxychloroquine 200
testosterone cream online pharmacy phentermine canadian pharmacy canadian drug pharmacies
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a video game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these sl authors and blogs
http://rumblingstrips.blogspot.com/2008/04/sunday-readings.html
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a video game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these second life websites and blogs
http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2005/07/?m=0
canadian pharmacy companies pharmacy store window lasix online pharmacy
cialis online cheap tadalafil cialis not working for me
buy cialis tadalafil buy 5mg cialis online viagra vs cialis which is better
Bystolic canadian pharmacy lakeland united kingdom online pharmacy
ed. trusted medstore in cialis free samples viagra cialis cialisorigina
I don't know about you people but I infatuated with airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2010/11/airline-livery-of-the-week-malev-hungarian-airlines/
http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html
cheap cialis pills uk cialis seling cialis free trial
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a online game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these sl authors and blogs
http://seanfitzgerald.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/ouch-ive-been-tagged-with-the-dreaded-8-random-things-about-me-meme/
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these Second Life websites and blogs
http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2014/05/imagination-wanted-mobile-devices-in.html?showComment=1564419594838
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a video game where you can do anything you want. Second life is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these sl articles and blogs
http://beyondnewhorizons.com/tag/critical-literacy/