The downside to following a whole bunch of news outlets on Twitter is that I’m now constantly barraged with: news. And, of course, most of it is bad. Instead of the urban murder du jour, however, the current economy is the leading topic of every newscast. I suppose we should be grateful for the break, yo?

But actually, the constant barrage of statistics and the media’s analysis thereof hits a lot closer to home than anything they could yank off the police blotter. Today’s labor report indicated 533,000 people lost their jobs in November alone. And 1.2 million for the year. Everyone I know knows someone who has lost their job. I’ll bet you do, too

First, some perspective: Dawn Rivers Baker, aka The Journal Blogger and editor and publisher of the The MicroEnterprise Journal points out in today’s post that though unemployment has reached 6.7% (the highest in 15 years) that the labor force participation rate in the United States is still 65.8%. Meaning close to two-thirds of the nation’s able-bodied workers are still working. Meaning: Most people still have a job.

My point is (get ready for a shock) the media (for myriad reasons) often don’t tell the entire story. To keep from getting completely depressed and immobilized by their gloom and doom prognostications (designed to attract viewers and boost ratings) requires equally drastic measures. Here are three recommendations:

1. If you meditate, increase your practice. If you don’t meditate, this is a great time to start. At the heart of meditation is the mastery of thoughts. The more you increase your ability to choose what thoughts you think, and ultimately arrive at the place where you can think no thoughts at all — also known as being at peace — the better you will feel. If you’re in Chicago, which most of you are, the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Logan Square is a wonderful place, and has a whole meditation program. And it smells good, too.

2. If you exercise, exercise more. If you don’t exercise, start. Even 10-15 minutes of exercise bathes the brain in powerful chemicals that facilitate clearer thinking and an increased sense of well-being. For a great audiobook on the brain and how it works check out BrainRules by John Medina.

3. Limit your exposure to bad news, as much as possible. All over Twitter today was this link about how happiness is contagious. Well, the converse also is true. If you must constantly watch the news, be sure you take the above (or other) prophylactic measures to keep yourself from coming down with the “Bad News Flu.”

And bear in mind, everything is cyclical, even this “reset.” Actually, this is the time to revel in the fact that, as solopreneurs, we can never lose our jobs. Think bigger not smaller. Approach some bigger accounts. Everyone is looking for ways to save money right now and what might be chump change to a bigger firm might just pay the bills for a year for you and I. How about that for positive thinking, huh?

Good luck, stay calm (and warm), and remember to breathe.

Om.