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It's not called a depression for nothing: web resources for feeling better in hard times.

Article Excerpt
In his book Transitions (Da Capo Press; 2d exp. ed. 2004; ISBN-13 978-0738209043), William Bridges offers a framework for the navigation of life shifts, like job loss, that shake our very foundations. In addition to outward changes, he says we undergo interior transition in three stages: "endings," a "neutral zone," and finally "beginnings," the time in which we assume our new identity.

Bridges emphasizes the importance of acknowledging endings: the "de-identification" of ourselves from our former roles. It is also critical that we allow ourselves to fully experience the neutral zone, a fallow period before something new can start. Bridges says that we should use this confusing and distressing time for reassessment and creativity. After the first two processes play themselves out, we can joyously embrace our new beginnings.

A recent review article demonstrates that happy people are more successful than sad ones (Lyubomirsky, S., L. A. King, & E. Diener, 2005, "The Benefits of Frequent Positive Affect: Does Happiness Lead to Success?" Psychological Bulletin, vol. 131, pp. 803-855 [http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/bul1316803.pdf]).

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Given that fact, wouldn't it be a good idea to point our jobless patrons toward resources that might help them to feel better as they reconcile their employment endings and tolerate their neutral zones?

Psychological Tests

How are we feeling today? The first step is to take some psychological tests to find out.

Psychology Today

http://www.psychologytoday.com/pto/self_tests.php

Got nothing but time ... time to learn about yourself? Take one of these 76 professionally developed psychological quizzes to explore your own attitudes toward relationships, health, and career. Assess your IQ. Oh! And also see how happy you are with your life.

Signal Patterns http://www.signalpatterns.com

Here's psychological assessment for the Web 2.0 generation! Sign up, take the personality survey, and then show the results on Facebook and other social networks and blogs. Also, take the music quiz to see what the patterns say about your personality.

Authentic Happiness Questionnaire...

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