How to Stay Calm Through the Biggest Financial Crisis Since the Great Depression

We are facing the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression. The government is at a loss on how to restore confidence on the credit institutions. Should public money bail out the private sector in a scale never seen before or should the industry heal itself? Is this a financial crisis or a crisis brought about by panic and lack of confidence?

It is ironic; banks lend money to entrepreneurs on the grounds of the entrepreneur´s management and market knowledge. Yet, in today´s financial crisis, the banks, who not only have in depth knowledge of their industry, but also have volumes of data that would be the envy of any entrepreneur, lack the confidence to heal themselves. There is a price at which buying a failing bank has to be a profitable proposition for a healthy one. It is equally true that a failing bank needs to keep their nerve to protect the best interest of their depositors, creditors and stockholders while fading out. Regardless what position a bank find itself in, to find the way, management needs to keep its confidence and remain calm.

Negative emotions reduce our quality of life and if allowed to take hold untreated may lead to depression. 40 million Americans are affected by anxiety disorders. Depression (feelings of fearfulness, hopelessness and uncertainty that persist for weeks and months) in ordinary times strikes 17 million American adults each year – more than cancer, AIDS, or coronary heart decease, according to National Institute of Mental Health. NIMH reports that 15 percent of chronic depression cases end in suicide. Women are twice as likely as men to be affected. Regrettably, these are not ordinary times; we need help more than ever.

The Daily Mail, reported this week that Kirk Stephenson, who was married with an eight-year-old son, is suspected of committing suicide after succumbing to mounting personal pressures as the world´s financial markets went into meltdown. The death of the respected 47-year-old millionaire financier evokes memories of the 1929 Wall Street crash in America.

Mortgage defaults and mounting personal debt is at record highs since the Great Depression. On my street lived a Mormon family with 8 children. The family was unable to keep up with the mortgage and other personal debt. The family defaulted on their mortgage and moved into a rented two bedroom apartment. Someone well known by our family managed to max out credit cards to the tune of $177,000 by June of 2008. By August the credit card debt had risen to $206,000! Credit card debt levels are at record highs and mounting rapidly. Many will never be able to pay the debt in full and instead will live a life of dependency to the lender, or simply default.

The state of the economy presents challenges for all of us not just financial institutions. Who among us can claim to enjoy job security? Many among us are experiencing mounting debt; and millions of homeowners fear not meeting the mortgage payments.

At times like this we could become frozen in fear and unable to deliberate calmly.

Unless we are in a positive emotional state of mind we could fail to recognize opportunities and possibilities that are masked by uncertainty and fear. What is the benefit or reacting with anger or indifference? In large part how we cope with situations and find solutions depends on our emotions. To avoid spinning out of control we need to enlist the help of healthy emotions and mitigate the effects of negative feelings and emotional peaks and valleys.

There is natural way to help handle the emotional imbalances that prevent us from enjoying a satisfying quality of life and calmly arriving at our best options in finding solutions.

75 years ago a revered English Doctor, Dr. Edward Bach, discovered the extraordinary effect of flowers upon humans and animals. Dr. Bach abandoned his lucrative medical practice and dedicated the rest of his life to learn about the influence of emotions on mental and physical health. Dr. Bach identified 7 major categories of emotional being and paired them with 38 natural Remedies he derived from flowers to treat them.

The original Bach® all-natural Remedies have been used confidently for decades by ordinary people in their busy lives to high-power politicians, military leaders and yes, celebrities.

Among Bach Flower Remedies most visible advocates in America are Jennifer Anniston who says it keeps her cool under pressure. Salma Hayek has been a fan for years. Kate Blanchett depends on Remedies to relieve stress; and says she would not dream of appearing at the Oscars without them . Sissy Spacek and Jane Seymour use the Remedies as soon as stress from their personal and professional lives ratchet up. Rosie O'Donnell credits the Remedies for keeping her calm at critical times. Golf pro Chris Tschetter, interviewed by Golf Today magazine, shared how helpful the Bach Flower Remedies have been to help calm her nerves before important tournaments.

Bettina Rasmussen, BFRP, a Bach Foundation Licensed Practitioner, recommends a selection of Bach Flower Remedies for these uncertain economic times.

Cherry Plum – Fear of losing control of yourself emotionally or physically

Elm – Feeling overwhelmed with problems or responsibilities, this can cause depression

Mimulus – Fear of the future, of losing your job or anything that you can name

Rock Rose – when you are frozen in fear and not able to move and make changes

Star of Bethlehem – To overcome trauma and chock (from losing a job, a house etc.)

Sweet Chestnut- To regain faith that everything will be okay no matter the outcome

Walnut – To adjust and make necessary changes

White Chestnut - Worried thoughts, prevent you from sleeping

Willow – feeling self pity and resentment when faced with adversity or misfortune

The Bach Flower Remedies are available in drops, pastilles, cream and spray and are safe for children, expectant mothers and the most delicate of pets. The Remedies are non-habit forming and without known side effects.

For information, books, licensed practitioner referrals and to purchase the original Bach Flower Remedies visit www.BachFlower.com (info@BachFlower.com) or call 800-214-2850.

For wholesale and professional practices sales and support call 888-262-6051

Media contacts welcomed. Call 800-214-2850

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