Stress: The Great Enemy of Society

Stress Threatens Well-Being of Families Across America.

It is no secret that the past and current affairs of the United States government have been under the scope of the media, and inevitably the public.  Millions of Americans scramble to watch the latest reports about the economic recovery, (or lack thereof), and international unrest on the television, the Internet, in magazines, newspapers, on the radio, or even on their mobile phones.  With all of the “bad news” that makes its way into American households, and the strain of rising prices on restricted family budgets, it is no wonder families are feeling the sting of social pressure in their own homes. 

69% of parents think stress does not effect their children

A 2010 survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) revealed that over half of Americans feel moderately stressed, and about one-fourth are severely stressed.  The report showed that money was the number cause of concern among those who were most stressed (what a surprise). 76 percent of those surveyed believed that money was a problem, 70 percent identified their jobs as a stress builder, and 65 percent pointed to the economy.   It seems that they are all connected.  Because of the economy, prices have risen, jobs have been lost, and there is less money available, based on news reports.  So businesses are asking for more productivity from their employees, who are lower in number, though they are not offering promotions or pay raises; people are stressed out about having less time and money; and at the core of all this stress is the American family.

How are children being affected?  In the midst of the hustle and bustle, most parents fail to recognize the stress that is being passed through them to their children.  According to the APA’s survey, a whopping 91 percent of all children polled (ages 8 to 17), said that they “feel sad, worried, and frustrated” as a result of (knowing) their parents’ stress.   Among these children, those who were overweight seemed to be even more grossly affected by stress.  There is an apparent relationship between being overweight and stress.  While one-third of American children are overweight, one-third of those children often feel stressed.  Almost half of all overweight children who admit to feeling stressed experience frequent headaches, and issues with sleeping, (43% suffering from headaches, and 48% with sleeping issues).

The truth is, parents are afraid that they will not be able to provide for their families.  The media does not provide much hope or empowerment for working families, and Americans unfortunately look for their “truths” from the news and other sources of media.  These “truths” cause worry, doubt, and fear, and parents often come home feeling tired from being over worked, frustrated with the sense of lack, and depressed for feeling out of control.  Children easily absorb the vibration of stress, and carry that doubt, fear, and worry with them.  The consequences and results of stress are manifested emotionally and physically.  Not only will one be left feeling overwhelmed, angry, impatient, and sometimes depressed, the human body will also respond with increased heart rate, headaches, digestive problems, sleeplessness, and even addictions.  Stress is not an element to take lightly, for it can rip a family apart, and drive a society to unrest. 

The solution? Norman Anderson, the chief executive of the APA suggests that communication is vital when the family is dealing with stress.  “The key message is ‘We’re going to address these difficulties and we’ll be OK.  We’ll get through this.”  This is good advice.  However, just as children can tell if their parents are stressed, they also know when they are lying.  It is imperative that parents believe that things are OK.  They must have faith that, if things are not okay right now, they will be.  The next question then becomes, how do you get adults to stop worrying?  Stop watching the news!  Stop feeding into all the negative gossip and media, which act as a “warning” to the end of happiness and beginning of crisis.  Spend time with your children and get off of the computer.  Take family vacations as often as possible.  If you believe that “money is in short supply,” take short road trips with your family.  Live life and convince yourself that life is not as bad as you think! 

We Get so Wrapped up in "Work," that we forget about LIFE...

Welcome to Blue!

A few weeks ago I had the incredible experience of becoming aware of something that I had already known.  My husband and I met a group of people who were "world" travelers, and had decided to become such, because life, to them, was actually worth living, and enjoying.  We often get so caught up in celebrity gossip, national "crisis," and the rat race, that we often forget to take a moment or two to relax, enjoy a beautiful scenery, or even sit down and play with our growing children.  Life can be so complicated, yet the opportunities to create lasting memories and meaningful relationships  are right at the tip of our fingers, we just don't take those opportunities as serious as we do working for a company whose executive officers are on vacation most of the year.  Well, I personally have planned to live my greatest life, and to create experiences that become, not only lasting memories, but open doors to more of life's adventures, for me and the ones that I love.

New York City: The city that never sleeps

"I Spy Something Blue" will be a series of entries that will share my experience in pursuing fun, enjoyment, new adventures, relaxation, and an expansion of my awareness of the world around me, whether that is in another country, or a few blocks from home.  My intention is to visit new places, eat at new restaurants, travel in new ways, and leave all stress behind me- all while bonding with the people I care about, (and possibly making new friends along the way).  I promise to be unbiased, honest, informative, and as entertaining as possible.  My hope is that you will see the beautiful possibilities that life has to offer each and every one of us, and that you come to the same important awareness that I have: Your life is worth living, and you deserve to enjoy it.  Here's to an exciting journey!