10 Feb The 7 Benefits of the Cost of Living Crisis – yes there are benefits
Kathy Mac – author of Feeding Good Habits
For a start, the cost of living crisis is not really a crisis at all. We often label events as a disaster, a nightmare, a catastrophe, a crisis, even though things rarely are.
I changed the way I looked, thought, and talked about difficult life events some years ago, by replacing all of the above words with the simple word ‘challenge.’
It suits the situation much better in 99.9% of cases, if not more, and can almost instantly reduce the so-called disaster, nightmare, catastrophe, or crisis element to a more manageable reality, in an instant.
Try saying to yourself “This is just a challenge, I can overcome this as I’ve done with previous challenges.”
The definition of the word challenge – something that needs great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully, and therefore tests a person’s ability.
How great is that? It means it is not the end of the world, but it is something we will have to think about in order to improve the situation we have found ourselves in. We need to start thinking ‘outside the box’, psychologist J. P. Guilford coined that popular phrase during a study about creativity, and that is exactly what this is, an opportunity to think more creatively about our situation, after all, there is always a choice to think differently.
Let’s take the cost of living crisis…. umm challenge, and see how we can think more positively and creatively about it.
Climate change
Everyone is finally thinking about climate change. I mean really thinking about it, saving the planet, and saving money has never felt so good. We may even have started to really appreciate the energy we waste, blasting the heating so we can sit around in t-shirts and shorts is no longer viable, neither is having 30-minute showers, even daily showers, putting the oven on for a solitary jacket potato, and driving to the local shop for a pint of milk.
Less waste
I am not a big waster of anything, so I love the fact that people are almost being forced, firstly to not buy more than they need, but also to use up everything they have bought. Alongside eating seasonally, eating less meat, and cutting down on unnecessary luxuries, it is hopefully making people appreciate food more, after all food really isn’t and should never be a disposable commodity.
Walking more
With the cost of fuel being so high people are walking more, which will not only be saving them money and protecting the environment, it will be improving their health, a triple whammy. Walking regularly is one of the best things you can do to help fight against chronic disease, relieve stress, and increase weight loss. What more could you ask for?
Creative thinking
We all need to think more creatively, but instead, we get stuck in a rut and when things go wrong we bemoan what is happening instead of seeing it as an opportunity to change and grow. When the world throws setbacks in our direction, we can choose to join the masses and make a big drama out of it, or we can find enjoyment in rising to the challenge. Note – the latter is much more fun and provides far better results!
In favour of adversity
I’m a big advocate of adversity, I believe if things run too smoothly we get complacent, take things for granted and even become bored, which is no way to live a life. Any kind of disruption to the way things routinely run is a great thing and should be welcomed, not avoided. Ryan Holiday is absolutely right in his book, The Obstacle is the Way. The better we are at dealing with obstacles, the better we are at dealing with life and all its challenges.
A new vocabulary
It’s the perfect time to adjust the way we think, act, and talk. Mike Dooley, best-selling author of Choose Them Wisely, believes that thoughts become things, so by hyping up our words and our thoughts around situations like the cost of living crisis, we are creating exactly that, a crisis. You could try challenge, set back, disruption, obstacle, or find your own less dramatic word.
No more news
The media love to hype up any stories, even create them! They freely use all the words I mentioned at the start, and many more, to create fear and anxiety amongst the masses – it sells a lot of newspapers because we love it too, however, if you are finding the news is getting on your nerves, move away from it, that way you won’t be dragged onto the negative bandwagon. Most things are never as bad as they first appear and if we just wait and practice patience we will see that is true.
Moving away from the mainstream news could be one of the healthiest things you do this year – it is toxic to every aspect of your life and you will feel a whole heap better when you stop listening to it, believe me, I did it years ago. Why not try Positive.News instead, it tells you all the good stories that will brighten your day.
Conclusion
Challenging the status quo is a good thing and will rarely do anyone any harm – in fact, it will likely do you the power of good. As you shift the way you think and do things you may uncover some hidden gifts that change your life forever.
Crisis, what crisis?
Feed Good Habits
Kathy Mac
xx
Kathy Mac – author Feeding Good Habits – 12 weeks to rewire your mind, reset your habits and renew your relationship with food for improved health and sustained weight loss.