FINANCES, STRESS AND YOUR HEALTH

[Belinda]

With the financial situation at hand (the market down, retirement savings in jeopardy, layoffs, foreclosures, etc.) it is not unreasonable to expect people are dealing with an increased stress level. With this sort of financial instability not only is the nest egg in jeopardy but also so could your health be.
The body is accustomed to acute stress and is well equipped with the release of certain hormones to handle it. That sudden release of adrenaline and nor-adrenalin, leads to the increase of the blood pressure and heart rate, the outpouring of glucose into the bloodstream, all providing the energy required to handle the situation at hand. You have that rise, deal with the situation at and then things return to normal. It is when stress becomes chronic that it puts you at risk for health problems such as hypertension, sleep deprivation, and anxiety. If stress continues, you increase your chances of having coronary heart disease and a stroke. Chronic stress also suppresses the immune system making you more susceptible to infection. Other negative effects of chronic stress are depression, personality changes and weight gain.
So what are you to do to deal with the stress brought on by this financial uncertainty so your health is not also in jeopardy? Since there is no quick fix to this economic crisis and a lot of it is out of your hands anyway, it is imperative that you take steps to manage your stress level.
Below are some suggestions that you can begin to incorporate in your life
 Take time to seek inner peace. When you begin to feel stressed…stop…take a breath so that you can unwind. Yoga or tai chi might be something to consider.
 Take time out of your busy life to do things you enjoy such as gardening, paint, puzzles, etc.
 It may sound selfish but put yourself first. Learn to say no when you feel that way and don’t feel guilty about it.
 Pay attention to the signals your body is sending and if you feel you should seek help don’t procrastinate about it.
 Learn to take things not so serious…learn to laugh even at yourself
 Be kind to yourself and others…having healthy interpersonal relationship are invaluable
 Set boundaries between work and home…don’t bring home the problems of the office…drop them as you are leaving out the door to go home
 Know the things that cause you the most stress and what are the triggers and try to address them before hand
 Embrace your spirituality be it prayer, meditation, chanting, etc.
 If in spite of all the things above you are not able to overcome seek professional help. There are in most states community based psychiatric facilities if you do not have insurance or the money to pay for it…never let it just continue to brew. If you are comfortable with your church leader they are also a good resource.
Learning to get a handle on stress can ultimately save your life. Like that old saying goes why worry about it because worry won't change the situation. One thing we know for sure...if you worry long enough...you will have created a whole new problem for yourself. Do the things suggested above, stay prayerful, and in time...this too shall pass.