Nov 04 2008
More Women Stressed About Economy Than Men, Survey
A recent survey conducted by the American Psychological Association indicates that more women than men are stressed out about the economy as well as in general today. More specifically, while 75% of men are feeling stressed out, 84% of women say they are feeling stressed.
Not only are more women reporting feeling stressed out about the economy than men, women are also reporting physical and psychological symptoms of stress more than men, such as sleep difficulties, changes in appetite, headaches, and mood swings.
Public educator and licensed clinical psychologist, Stephanie Smith Psy.D. asserts, “Women have many roles to play in life. They are often the primary caregivers for children and the older generation (aging parents) , as well as workers in the industry. Smith also points out that while men have taken on more household responsibilities, women still perform most of the household chores, such as cooking, laundry, and cleaning. These additional roles can put extra stress on women in difficult economic times.
The APA reminds people to take care of themselves in tough times by eating healthily, getting exercise, and getting enough sleep. They also encourage the use of healthy coping mechanisms. Some healthy coping mechanisms include writing in a journal, talking to a therapist or a trusted friend or family member, taking a walk, or enjoying a hot bath. Their survey found that women are more likely than men to utilize unhealthy coping mechanisms in times of stress, such as shopping, napping, and eating poorly.
The APA also recommends not cutting back on preventive and routine healthcare if you can help it because doing so may lead to worse health problems and bigger financial bills later, resulting in more stress.
Another great way to cope with stress is to make some time for yourself everyday to do something you enjoy. Read a book before sleep. Take a nice bubble bath. Play with your pets. Whatever it is you love to do, make a little time each day to do it.
Please tell me what you think in the comments section below!
Source:
Psych Central: Helping Women Manage Today’s Stress
