Money Worries = Health Problems
Experts offer tips to manage economy-related stress and anxiety

(HealthDay News) -- Some experts believe the nation's economic recession is lifting, which would be good news for Americans' collective psyche. But if your stomach is still in knots, you're not alone.

Money anxieties caused by rising prices, job insecurity and economic uncertainty can do a number on people's emotional, social and physical health.

"When people get anxious, it begins to affect the whole family," Linda Rosenberg, president and chief executive of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare in Washington, D.C., told HealthDay. "There are marital fights over [questions like], 'What do we do now?' Kids get involved when parents are fighting and have their own emotional upset."

Stress is the body's reaction to any kind of demand that disrupts life as usual, explains the American Psychological Association. In small doses, stress can help motivate you to finish a project or overcome a fear. But beware of increasing or prolonged levels of stress.

People who are stressed might feel anxious, nervous, distracted, worried or pressured, says the Hormone Foundation. It can cause loss of appetite, overeating and poor sleep -- all of which can undermine a person's health.

Numerous disorders have been linked to stress, including depression, heart attack and stroke, reports the American Institute of Stress. It also can increase people's susceptibility to infection and lead to skin outbreaks, gastrointestinal problems and insomnia.

In a Harris Interactive poll of 2,160 adults conducted in April 2009, 75 percent said that the economy caused stress in their lives. That's down from 82 percent in November 2008. However, the high percentage indicates that many Americans are still suffering from economic stress, according to the American Psychological Association, which commissioned the poll.

To help people cope with stress from worries about money and the economy, the association suggests:

• Don't panic. Allowing yourself to get caught up in media reports about the ailing economy can lead to higher levels of anxiety. Better to stay calm and focused.
• Deal with financial stressors. What's causing you to feel unnerved? Make a list of the ways that you and your family can reduce expenses and manage money more effectively. In the long run, making a plan and sticking to it will help ease your anxiety. If you're having trouble paying bills or managing debt, ask your bank, utilities or credit card companies for help.
• Don't let money problems sabotage your health. If you're coping with money-related stress by smoking, drinking, gambling, excessive eating or arguing with your partner, consider seeking professional help from a psychologist or community mental health clinic.
• Turn adversity into opportunity. Things might seem bleak, but challenging times provide a chance to weigh situations and make needed changes. Try finding healthier ways to deal with stress. Taking walks is a low-cost way to fit more physical activity into your life. Eating dinner at home will cut costs and bring you closer to your family. Enrolling in classes to learn a new skill could lead to a better job.
• Seek professional advice. Credit counseling services and financial planners can help get your financial house in order. A psychologist can help you manage stress and change unhealthy behaviors.

On the Web

To learn more about stress management, visit the AARP.

SOURCES: HealthDay News ; Linda Rosenberg, president and chief executive, National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, Washington, D.C.; Hormone Foundation, Chevy Chase, Md.; American Institute of Stress, Yonkers, N.Y.; American Psychological Association, news release, Sept. 23, 2009, APA (www.apa.org)
Author: Karen Pallarito
Publication Date: Nov. 30, 2009
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