Mexican Mantras

I will admit that a week away from reality can be a relief. It’s also why I have a somewhat different reaction to the current economic news than others—7 consecutive days of warmth and sunshine can do that to a person. Still, it is impossible not to acknowledge that the economy and the markets have some tough times to tackle in the near term. That’s why I felt like the best thing that I can do today is to impart some wisdom from South of the Border—let’s call them Mexican Mantras.

1) Take some time off and get away. I used to be known as Jill “V” Schlesinger, because I would harp on how important it is to take vacation time. This past week off was proof positive for me, because after working straight through the holidays, it was fantastic to simply stop everything-writing, checking e-mails/voice mails and to allow my brain the time necessary to rejuvenate. It was a relief to completely shut down, knowing that if anyone needed me for anything important, they would find me.

2) Try to stop obsessing about whatever you are obsessing about---that means work, your portfolio performance or your weight. It is amazing that the world can in fact keep spinning without your constant perseveration about whatever is making you crazy. “Perseverate” is defined by Merriam-Webster as (1) to repeat or recur persistently and (2) to go back over previously covered ground. In the early 1900s, psychologists adopted "perseveration" for the act of repeating a behavior over and over again.

As the self-appointed “Princess of Perseveration,” I can tell you that the best defense against this behavior is to create a flexible game plan for whatever area that is making you reel and stick to it as much as possible. That means that if the markets are making you crazy and you are truly worried, it’s time for a new plan with a different approach to your investment and risk management. Or if you are sleepless about the debt that you are carrying, sit down with your loved one and perhaps even an impartial third party and create a useable game plan to whittle away the load. No matter what area (diet and exercise included!), a plan can help alleviate feelings of helplessness and provide a greater sense of control.

3) When in doubt, a walk on the beach can cure many ailments. Maybe for you it’s a hike in the country or skiing in the White Mountains, but the healing effects of nature can not be underestimated. The sound of the waves crashing, the water receding and the citing of whales in the distance was a perfect antidote to news of falling markets.