Myself, and many others, have had their lives directly impacted by the economic down turn. Many folks have lost their careers, their jobs, their businesses and savings. Losing ones job can have a rippling effect that can bruise an ego, shake a relationship, and challenge your financial foundation.
For some, the burden of financial stress can compound just as bad as those terribly high interest credit cards. The department stores love to offer easily obtainable credit in times of economic challenge as it helps them create a projection, and it inflates consumerism.
When times are economically tight, it can become easy to fall prey to the tempting credit card offers and hey why not? It's an in store promotion and wow look, I get a coffee set, and a matching pen. All joking aside, I've obtained credit from a variety of well known department stores for one reason or another, you know, maybe to get clothes for the kids, or purchase some groceries. Instant credit approvals become very tempting, especially when you need food or other necessities.
While I was assessing my financial situation and trying to change my employment status, It became obviously apparent that my savings, although enough to sustain my debt for a few months, was not enough to sustain even a basic lifestyle. Trying to micro manage a dwindling amount of money was futile. Soon I was broke.
It was easy to justify using my credit cards to fill in the void. I have always reserved credit for "In Case Of Emergency" usage only, and this was a suitable enough circumstance. It took no time to become in debt up to the ears. Finally I got back on my feet again and things are looking up, but there was a lingering reminder of the cost of losing my job. The easily obtainable credit was costing me 28% with compounding interest, and it prolonged the repayment by months and just added to the financial stress. It took some time, but, I managed to get caught up in my finances and have since adopted some simple financial philosophies.
I am by no mean an economist, but rather, a regular guy who needed a sustainable action plan that assured my monthly finances were secure. Firstly I needed a clean slate and that meant closing the high interest accounts, and destroying the department store credit cards.
Ways of Dealing With Stress
In tough economical times and lean job markets people are inundated with over whelming levels of stress. Many Americans have lost their jobs, their fortunes, their homes and dreams. With an abundance of negative media hype, the stress of the current economic situation transcends down to every one on one level or another.
Since I have been laid off from my job I can honestly appreciate the challenges this circumstance can create, feeling stressed can create anger, resentment and a slew of other negative feelings. So I have made it my goal to find ways to help myself and others deal with stress in a healthy, and healing way.
Being aware of the triggers or events that may escalate stress and anger is very important. For some folks just avoiding stress is the answer, but in reality this is not (in my opinion) a practical solution. Sure, some things are avoidable but there will always be the reoccurring issues that will need to be addressed.
Avoidance and procrastination of some stress related issues will inevitably impose more negative feelings, and pile stress on top of stress. For a lack of a better analogy, "the snow ball effect". The physiological effects of stress become more apparent and damaging the longer you retain it in an unhealthy way.
But, some stress is better off avoided if possible. In order to avoid the things that stress you out, it is important to be able to identify the stressors in the first place, and to determine whether this is caused by something you can control or change, if you can't control it don't stress about it, its beyond your control anyway. But if it is something you can change such as your lifestyle, work, health, happiness, diet, be proactive and embrace change for the good. Small steps and realistic goals can turn a negative into a positive. Remember in school when they taught you to invert and multiply? Well, these days I live by that saying, invert a negative to a positive and multiply.
Since I have been laid off from my job I can honestly appreciate the challenges this circumstance can create, feeling stressed can create anger, resentment and a slew of other negative feelings. So I have made it my goal to find ways to help myself and others deal with stress in a healthy, and healing way.
Being aware of the triggers or events that may escalate stress and anger is very important. For some folks just avoiding stress is the answer, but in reality this is not (in my opinion) a practical solution. Sure, some things are avoidable but there will always be the reoccurring issues that will need to be addressed.
Avoidance and procrastination of some stress related issues will inevitably impose more negative feelings, and pile stress on top of stress. For a lack of a better analogy, "the snow ball effect". The physiological effects of stress become more apparent and damaging the longer you retain it in an unhealthy way.
But, some stress is better off avoided if possible. In order to avoid the things that stress you out, it is important to be able to identify the stressors in the first place, and to determine whether this is caused by something you can control or change, if you can't control it don't stress about it, its beyond your control anyway. But if it is something you can change such as your lifestyle, work, health, happiness, diet, be proactive and embrace change for the good. Small steps and realistic goals can turn a negative into a positive. Remember in school when they taught you to invert and multiply? Well, these days I live by that saying, invert a negative to a positive and multiply.
Physiological Effects of Stress
Incredibly it has been reported that stress related ailments , and stress related disorders account for almost 75-90 percent of all doctors visits. Prolonged stress can throw your biochemistry levels off. by elevating cortisol levels and suppressing serotonin.
As these levels fluctuate it directly affect ones sense of well being, and energy levels. it has been shown that spikes and valleys in a persons biochemistry make-up can alter typical social behavior and may lead to a developing of psychosocial disorders.
The Physiological effects of stress has been linked to many health issues of today. By affecting the immunity, stress and illness go hand in hand. A person may become more susceptible to disease and have a more difficult time recovering from one. It has been shown that stress has been linked to cancer, diabetes, a breakdown in the immune system, cardiovascular disease, and substance abuse.
From a mental perspective stress may make you feel depressed, reserved, and withdrawn. In a defiant response people sometimes resolve to live a less than healthy lifestyle and may develop poor eating habits, alcoholism, and drug abuse. A negative response only reinforces ones vulnerability to potential health risks.
I know it has been said a million times but, It is important to adopt a healthy life style and to embrace physical activity as a positive outlet. Excersise is an easy way to achieve small goals, which is great for the self esteem, and is one of the best coping strategies for stress. When you look good on the outside you feel good on the inside, and when you feel good on the inside you will smile back.
There are many ways to deal with stress, what may work for some may not work for others, it is important to find time to relax and reflect on what makes you happy, read a book, start a garden, talk to a friend. A daily dose of quality "ME" time can go along way to help promote a stress-free lifestyle that is healthy and happy.
As these levels fluctuate it directly affect ones sense of well being, and energy levels. it has been shown that spikes and valleys in a persons biochemistry make-up can alter typical social behavior and may lead to a developing of psychosocial disorders.
The Physiological effects of stress has been linked to many health issues of today. By affecting the immunity, stress and illness go hand in hand. A person may become more susceptible to disease and have a more difficult time recovering from one. It has been shown that stress has been linked to cancer, diabetes, a breakdown in the immune system, cardiovascular disease, and substance abuse.
From a mental perspective stress may make you feel depressed, reserved, and withdrawn. In a defiant response people sometimes resolve to live a less than healthy lifestyle and may develop poor eating habits, alcoholism, and drug abuse. A negative response only reinforces ones vulnerability to potential health risks.
I know it has been said a million times but, It is important to adopt a healthy life style and to embrace physical activity as a positive outlet. Excersise is an easy way to achieve small goals, which is great for the self esteem, and is one of the best coping strategies for stress. When you look good on the outside you feel good on the inside, and when you feel good on the inside you will smile back.
There are many ways to deal with stress, what may work for some may not work for others, it is important to find time to relax and reflect on what makes you happy, read a book, start a garden, talk to a friend. A daily dose of quality "ME" time can go along way to help promote a stress-free lifestyle that is healthy and happy.
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