Skip to main content

Are You Happy Yet? UP and DOWN metaphors


Are You Happy Yet? 

UP and DOWN metaphors


It’s common knowledge that news sources thrive on negative news. Afterall, we are hardwired to respond to threats as a matter of survival. Unfortunately, a torrent of bad news can produce sadness or even depression.

Depression as a word fits the up-down metaphor as if our brains had a vertical structure for moods where up is good and down is bad. In banter with my cousin Stan (RIP) his response to “how are ya” was “still above ground.” On leaving, I’d say “I’m going underground” as he delivered me to my London tube station.

Religious folks use up and down metaphors for heaven and hell, which I always thought was funny for those DOWN under (Aussies).

When things are DOWN, we often characterize them as LOWER, CUT, NOT WORKING, BROKEN, AT THE BOTTOM, and ON THE GROUND. When people in important positions leave, they STEPDOWN. And naysayers warn the arrogant that they should watch out for a FALL.

If you consume news, check out the DOWNPOUR in recent days.


Back to the news. 

The financial markets are DOWN this day, month, and year. Lately, many retirement accounts are LOWER. The newsies report stocks SLIDE because of SLOWDOWN worries.

The US budget is being CUT DOWN as quickly as possible. 2

The US Congress is trying to avoid a SHUTDOWN, which may result in LOWER voter support. The DEADLINE is Friday. 3.

The US government staffing numbers are DOWN due to layoffs, which can obviously be depressing. 4

A picture in today’s news showed an empty space at Toronto airport where young tourists usually queue for trips to the US. Air travel is DOWN as a result of the trade wars. 5

Around the world, soldiers and civilians reach the ultimate DOWN as for example recent deaths in Syria and Ukraine reveal. 6, 7


Pathways to happiness

Many of the depressing events in the news are horribly sad for those personally affected by the reported events. The pain of loss when loved ones die can persist for years. Financial ruin with or without job loss can be very difficult to overcome. In such cases, family, friends, communities are vital to recovery. And often, professional healthcare providers are needed.

But for those who are not in the direct line of fire, to avoid the subtle and not so subtle mood-destroying stimuli, we’ll need to take control of our news diet. Some ideas for changing to an UPBEAT LIFE-GIVING WELL of BUBBLY.

INCREASING intake of positive news stories.

Listening to UPBEAT music.

Reading UPLIFTING essays and stories.

INCREASING time with positive people.

INCREASING walking and other types of exercise

INCREASING expressions of gratitude

INCREASING giving time or resources to others when possible

INCREASING expressions of care for others. A call or text or visit can make someone’s day.

INCREASING the consumption of laughter

INCREASING eating well

INCREASING sleep if needed

INCREASING stable recessionary-resistant investments less susceptible to market swings like CDs if possible and with professional advice as needed.

Avoiding news media broadcasts where we have no control over broadcast selected stories.

Avoiding negative talk shows.

Blocking negative news stories in social media feeds.

Blocking DOWNBEAT feeds in social media.

Controlling Metaphors

It takes some effort to recognize metaphors and the influence they have on how we frame life.

For example, marketplace selloffs are opportunities to buy quality investments at good prices for those who understand markets.

Recognizing the DOWN words and related concepts can help us control persistent negativity by blocking, turning off, or avoiding such stimuli as may be reasonably possible.

It takes some practice. And sometimes a psychotherapist can help reframe life events. Decades ago, I learned to pay attention as patients revealed the narratives linked to anxiety, depression, and other distressing ills.

When you catch on to the UP - DOWN metaphors, try thinking of other confining metaphors like TIME = MONEY and ARGUMENTS = WAR.



References

2. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/06/gop-budget-medicare-medicaid-cuts

3. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/congress-races-avert-government-shutdown-friday-deadline-rcna195312

4. https://www.delawareonline.com/story/money/business/2016/01/04/dupont-workers-learning-their-fate-today/78255924/

5. https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=122177874464270823&id=61558124703468

6. https://apnews.com/article/syria-alawites-sectarian-killings-coast-assad-hts-610cdee1d5762d3ecb75c700fb7cf5f2

7. https://abcnews.go.com/International/deadly-russian-attack-overnight-ukraine-kills-11-injure/story?id=119583522



Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is  www.suttong.com

 

See Geoffrey Sutton’s books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

Follow on    FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton    

   X  @Geoff.W.Sutton    


You can read many published articles at no charge:

  Academia   Geoff W Sutton     ResearchGate   Geoffrey W Sutton 

 

Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation. 




Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SPIRITUAL ABUSE: An Investigation

Investigating Spiritual Harassment and Abuse  WP Post Article In an exclusive article, Ian Shapira reported on problems within the US Anglican Church (2025, October 24). Two leaders in the Anglican church are identified early in the WP report.    [Ruch, who has been a bishop for 12 years, is one of two top leaders in the continent’s Anglican denomination confronting allegations of wrongdoing. The other is its senior-most official, Archbishop Stephen Wood. A married father of four sons, Wood, 62, has been accused by a former employee of trying to kiss her last year inside his church office in South Carolina, according to a new church presentment, which The Washington Post obtained in advance of its Monday submission. The accusations, which include plagiarizing sermons and demeaning colleagues, could prompt an ecclesiastical trial against Wood and his removal from ministry, according to the denomination’s laws. (Shapira, 2025).] ***** My concern is for people who have exper...
Post a Comment
Read more

Marriage Under Reconstruction

The 1950s imaginary sentimental love man as protein-carbs winner (bring home the bacon & breadwinner) marriage has ended for most people in most Western cultures. Some folks retain that image, or some photoshopped version of it, as the ideal traditional marriage.  Picture the happy couple at church with King James Bibles under their arms and you get the Protestant Christian version of this traditional marriage. Changes are a constant The changes in marriage and romantic relationships in the last few decades are staggering for anyone alive before the 1960s. Human behavior is my business. I am a psychologist. The counseling advice offered to couples seems to reflect the mythology of the decade rather than recommendations sourced in science. I would like to say that the nature and extent of the changes in marriage and romantic relationships have never been seen before in human history. But I am no historian. Nevertheless, the changes call for some consider...
4 comments
Read more

EASTER: VARIATIONS IN BELIEF

Differences in Religious & Spiritual Beliefs Relevant to the Easter Story By Geoffrey W. Sutton, Ph.D. at suttong.com Like most Christians, my wife and I attend an Easter Service. And, a s usual, the media rise to the Spring occasion with Bible stories, comments from various religious leaders and a few atheists—just to keep things balanced. Other religions are on the back burner until Monday. So many statements of beliefs come from the Easter events.  For now, here’s a sample of some core beliefs from various sources. God: 51% believe in God as in the Bible Statista (May, 2023) reported US belief "in God as described in holy scriptures" at 51%. Another 22% reported a belief in a higher power or spirit. Pew researchers from 2021 find 58% believe in God as described in the Bible and another 32% believe in a God or Higher Power.  Belief in God is obviously a core belief. U.S. belief has declined to 58% having no doubt God exists and another 17% have do...
Post a Comment
Read more