Getting Your House in Order

Our emotions are a vital part of who we are, yet often the one part of ourselves that we frequently overlook. The fact is that most everyone experiences times when they feel depressed or anxious. Depression is known as the "common cold" of our emotions. Anxiety, the sister of depression, often masquerades as excessive "worry" or "stress".

Give yourself a stress checkup. If you feel pulled in many directions, look at what you are taking responsibility for. Have you taken on too many commitments? The art of "saying no" can take time to learn, but with practice, can lower your stress level considerably. It is up to you to determine your priorities. Setting healthy boundaries in relationships with family, co-workers and friends will often diminish our stress.

Sometimes, our feelings of sadness or anxiety involve an underlying physical imbalance. Many people find that a medical assessment can help answer questions. If medication is needed, this is nothing to be ashamed of. Depression and anxiety are two of the most treatable emotional problems. Get a professional opinion.Don't wait until you are missing work, have thoughts of self-harm or are isolating from others, before you get help.

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Most Everyone would like to have better relationships with those that they love. 
There is usually an opportunity to improve, while remembering that we cannot 
change others.  The good news is that we can learn to take positive steps to
 enhance the quality of our relationships.  Often, when we make positive changes
 in ourselves, it encourages  friends and family members to move forward as well.

It is important to consider if our relationships are where we want them to be:
 Are they growing, healthy, and stable?  Are we making time for those we care
 about?

Think about preparing for future changes, such as a child's college education
 or care for an elderly parent.  By anticipating changes with a proactive plan, we
 can better manage the stress that accompanies changing relationships.

Asking for help is typically the first step toward improved family relationships.  
Most of us can learn to be better communicators...and especially LISTENERS. 
 The key is in being open to learning new skills.  EAP can help you find ways to 
take those positive steps.  Often short-term counseling, or a group, website or
 reading materials can spark ideas that lead to positive change.

Do you have a network of friends who are supportive and helpful?  Finding
 friends who share your values can help you manage life's difficulties more easily. 
 It can be easy for those who live alone to isolate in front of the computer or 
television.  Remember that there are others that are seeking companionship and
 social activities.  Is there a hobby that you have considered exploring?  Casual
 group activities afford opportunities to meet a variety of different people. Many
 times the local YMCA or community center can serve as a starting point.  Try to
 avoid filling all of your spare time with work and household tasks.  Remember
 that fun and play are important, too....even for adults!



                          




SPIRITUAL


Spirituality is part of an overall sense of well being.  Spirituality means different 
things for each individual, but one common benefit that spirituality offers is a sense
 of being part of a greater plan.  Do you long for a deeper meaning and purpose in
 your life?  There is a  way to achieve a heightened spiritual life that is
 unique to you.

Perhaps your path involves attending church or synagogue.  Other possibilities
 may include spending time in natural settings.  Some connect with their spiritual 
selves through  music, art, or meditation.

Some have found that a good place to start accessing those spiritual issues is to
 begin a "gratitude list" of those things that they are most thankful for.  This list can
 be a springboard for a discussion of your values, worldview and sense of connection
to those around you.  Once you have begun this list, find someone to share it with. 
 If your thoughts are too personal, you might decide to begin a journal of your
feelings and insights into this area of your life. 



Do you need help getting your house in order? 
Cracker Barrel's Employee Assistance Program can help you.
Call us at 1-800-688-6330
OR
e-mail us at eapinfo@crackerbarrel.com

HOME


	GETTING YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER
FINANCIAL
Most everyone is surprised how quickly his or her paycheck seems to disappear! In order to reach our longer-term goal of financial security, it is important to have a plan. Start by identifying your long-term goal: Is it paying off debt? Making ends meet? Saving for the future? Once you have identified a long-term goal, develop a short-term plan with specific BEHAVIORS that will help you reach success. Begin tracking your spending. Keep track of purchases in a small notebook that you keep with you. Small purchases add up. For example, soda, candy, and other vending machine items can be bought in bulk. Or, forgo that candy bar and save 75 cents. You'll be surprised how "small change" will deplete your cash and prevent you from meeting your goals. Distinguish between needs and wants: postpone the excitement of an impulse purchase until necessary bills are paid. If you are saving to purchase a home, for example, post pictures of homes on your refrigerator door. Explore garage sales and flea markets for lower costs on children's clothing and other items that are much more expensive at retail stores. Reward yourself for keeping on track with activities that don't cost money, such as going to the park or library. Are your financial problems masking a deeper issue? We can sometimes find ourselves spending beyond our means in order to support an unhealthy relationship. Sometimes there is alcohol or drug involvement. Perhaps your financial status has changed through divorce or loss of a loved one. A call to EAP can help you sort out what might be contributing to your financial challenges.
		EMOTIONAL
Our emotions are a vital part of who we are, yet often the one part of ourselves that we frequently overlook. The fact is that most everyone experiences times when they feel depressed or anxious. Depression is known as the "common cold" of our emotions. Anxiety, the sister of depression, often masquerades as excessive "worry" or "stress". Give yourself a stress checkup. If you feel pulled in many directions, look at what you are taking responsibility for. Have you taken on too many commitments? The art of "saying no" can take time to learn, but with practice, can lower your stress level considerably. It is up to you to determine your priorities. Setting healthy boundaries in relationships with family, co-workers and friends will often diminish our stress. There is a definite relationship between physical activity and our moods. When we are struggling, it may seem easier to isolate from others. Keep moving! Call a friend, go for a walk. Research has shown that even minimal exercise improves mood. Sometimes, our feelings of sadness or anxiety involve an underlying physical imbalance. Many people find that a medical assessment can help answer questions. If medication is needed, this is nothing to be ashamed of. Depression and anxiety are two of the most treatable emotional problems. Get a professional opinion.Don't wait until you are missing work, have thoughts of self-harm or are isolating from others, before you get help. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS Most Everyone would like to have better relationships with those that they love. There is usually an opportunity to improve, while remembering that we cannot change others. The good news is that we can learn to take positive steps to enhance the quality of our relationships. Often, when we make positive changes in ourselves, it encourages friends and family members to move forward as well. It is important to consider if our relationships are where we want them to be: Are they growing, healthy, and stable? Are we making time for those we care about? Think about preparing for future changes, such as a child's college education or care for an elderly parent. By anticipating changes with a proactive plan, we can better manage the stress that accompanies changing relationships. Asking for help is typically the first step toward improved family relationships. Most of us can learn to be better communicators...and especially LISTENERS. The key is in being open to learning new skills. EAP can help you find ways to take those positive steps. Often short-term counseling, or a group, website or reading materials can spark ideas that lead to positive change. Do you have a network of friends who are supportive and helpful? Finding friends who share your values can help you manage life's difficulties more easily. It can be easy for those who live alone to isolate in front of the computer or television. Remember that there are others that are seeking companionship and social activities. Is there a hobby that you have considered exploring? Casual group activities afford opportunities to meet a variety of different people. Many times the local YMCA or community center can serve as a starting point. Try to avoid filling all of your spare time with work and household tasks. Remember that fun and play are important, too....even for adults! SPIRITUAL Spirituality is part of an overall sense of well being. Spirituality means different things for each individual, but one common benefit that spirituality offers is a sense of being part of a greater plan. Do you long for a deeper meaning and purpose in your life? There is a way to achieve a heightened spiritual life that is unique to you. Perhaps your path involves attending church or synagogue. Other possibilities may include spending time in natural settings. Some connect with their spiritual selves through music, art, or meditation. Some have found that a good place to start accessing those spiritual issues is to begin a "gratitude list" of those things that they are most thankful for. This list can be a springboard for a discussion of your values, worldview and sense of connection to those around you. Once you have begun this list, find someone to share it with. If your thoughts are too personal, you might decide to begin a journal of your feelings and insights into this area of your life. Do you need help getting your house in order? Cracker Barrel's Employee Assistance Program can help you. Call us at 1-800-688-6330 OR e-mail us at eapinfo@crackerbarrel.com HOME