With bank failures, credit crunches, high unemployment, and a $700 billion in bailout funds being debated on Capitol Hill, our nation’s economic woes may have you feeling stressed or anxious at the moment.
So, the Healthy Turtle turned to Dr. David Hyde, a professor in the Department of Community and Public Health and an expert in the study of stress, for some information. Here are some methods to deal with stress (hint: they’re simpler than you think):
Perspective: While some may be warning us about the imminent collapse of the global financial system, Dr. Hyde believes that it is important for people to put things into perspective. You’re still alive, you have friends and family, and the sky, so far as we know, is not falling. Keep this in mind.
Focus on What You Can Control: Dr. Hyde talked about the difference between simple and easy, and as simple as it sounds, focusing on what you can control is not easy for many people to do. Still, in the midst of this economic crisis, letting go of what you cannot control (the vote in Congress, bank failures) and focusing on what you can control (keeping your finances in order, paying your bills on time) will help you deal with your anxiety.
Focus on the Present: Much like focusing on what you can control, Dr. Hyde thinks that many people spend an inordinate amount of time either beating themselves up for what they did in the past or worrying about the future. Instead, Dr. Hyde suggests that people focus on what they can do right now in the present to address their concerns, and using the past to learn from their mistakes and the future as something for which to plan.
Be Good to Your Body: Just as in normal life, getting enough sleep, exercising, maintaining healthy relationships, and eating right are important when you’re dealing with stress. If you’re feeling worn down at the end of the day, get outside and take a walk; you’ll feel less anxious, and it’s better for you than eating a dozen donuts or smoking.
Stay Flexible and Optimistic: By managing their thoughts and attitudes (one of the main things we can control), people can alleviate the anxiety they face. For example, if you’re concerned that the economic crisis may cost you your job, you can think to yourself, “Things will get better with the economy, and if they don’t, I can find another job. Perhaps my new job will be better than my current one.”
Thinking that change can mean something better is just as realistic as thinking they can mean something worse. Plus, it's much healthier for your mind and body.
Decisions: Dr. Hyde said, "Most of the time people under a lot of stress make a lot of very poor decisions. Sometimes being patient is the best thing to do."
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Dr. David Hyde is the Director of the Undergraduate Program in the Department of Public and Community Health in the School of Public Health.
The Dr. is right. People make poor decisions under a lot of stress because a stress response, particularly a prolonged or chronic stress response moves the blood out of the frontal lobes. The frontal lobes is the area of the brain where decisions are made. If you stay stressed, you lose your ability to solve your problems.
ReplyDeleteDon
This makes so much sense. You mention that people smoke to relieve stress and we now know from the latest research that smoking actually increases stress and depression but how often do we do what we're used to that doesn't work instead of trying something new that might have a more beneficial effect?
ReplyDeleteWell i too smoke to relieve stress and i don't know whether it works or not
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I definitely agree that activities are very important for children. And keeping children active and engaged is fantastic for behaviour and discipline. I think where the concept of stress comes in is often more in the parents attitudes rather than the children. I know of so many cases where the children are happy with their activities, and do them purely for fun and the parents add stresses by wanting the children to compete harder, do better and train more hours.
ReplyDeleteIf you’re feeling worn down at the end of the day, get outside and take a walk; you’ll feel less anxious, and it’s better for you than eating a dozen donuts or smoking. http://www.links4share.com
ReplyDeleteIt is a little old? yes?
ReplyDeletegreat
ReplyDeleteSmoking is no cure for any thing, it just puts you in a pseudo state of mind. Have you ever tried this toreduce stress
ReplyDeleteA higher level of activity was not linked to such stress symptoms as depression, anxiety, alienation and fearfulness.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a good article. I stumbled upon another great article which tell you how to reduce sress with hypnosis.
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice but ultimately a change of heart such as Eckhart Tolle describes is what is needed - become more centered and aware of your (small) part in the universe.
ReplyDeleteMike McLoughlin
I am bipolar. I'm quite curious if there is research out there that indicates whether smoking increases the chances of bipolar depression. I could see it having some impact on mania as I used to smoke on occasion when I was in a manic stage. I'm sure it's unwise for those of us who are bipolar to start smoking because of the impact if you decided to quit. Thanks for posting and let me know if you see any research on the bipolar and smoking subject.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard for me to wonder weather over activities are a way for some parents to overlook their responsibilities. not all parents my be sensitive to their child, and since we do know that anxiety and depression tends to run in families i think and an anxious or depressed (on some sub conscious level)would only make the child to take part on the activities, and makes him suppress his emotions, that may burst/evoke in matureness? did anyone think about such option? how can this be examined?
ReplyDeleteHi My daughter I believe is Bipolar and still coming to terms with it. Stress anxiety and depression have all contributed in some way. Interesting article.Stuart Cronshaw
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm from the land of Tiger Mothers: S. Korea. I'm an American male living with a Korean lady. I can tell you from experience that these activities, if too many, do indeed make children very exhausted. They come to my language institute completely drained, thanks to their mothers and their involvment. However, that's just one complaint. I teach part time so it's just great to have time to spend with and teach my 2 sons. I fought for years with my wife to reduce the extracurricular activities and finally won. I no longer miss my sons and see them for at least 8 hours a day, which is wonderful.
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I think that in today's society it is key for children to be busy. I know with today's working parents that can be tough but it is really important they do so.
ReplyDeleteGreat article and I agree with this study. Children who are involved with activities has a lesser risk of behavior problems. That's why I keep my kids active and ensure they participate in activities. It's important for proper development.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dr. Hofferth – children, as well as all human beings, are resilient. We can adapt rather quickly to almost any survivable situation. Actual anxiety is, in fact, a disorder, which means that it is a malfunction within the body (either psychological or biological).
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to keep a child motivated, and confident. Your child will also be the best multitasker ever.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to have these findings. If a report from the diner trenches is persmitted I alo notice that the kids encountered at the after soccer icecream bar don't look the most stressed to me.
ReplyDeleteLooking back to my own posta WW2 childhood I can see that there was a lot that we were not exposed to.