April is Stress Awareness Month

This is an event sponsored by the Health Resource Network, a non-profit education network consisting of educators and health professionals.

Stress Awareness Day is April 16th.

Some interesting facts about stress:

• 75% of the general population experiences at least "some stress" every two weeks (National Health Interview Survey).

• Half of those experience moderate or high levels of stress during the same two-week period.

• Millions of Americans suffer from unhealthy levels of stress at work. (A study several years ago estimated the number to be 11 million–given events since that time, this number has certainly more than tripled–studies in Sweden, Canada, and other Westernized countries show similar trends.)

• Worker’s compensation claims for "mental stress" in California rose 200-700% in the 1980s (whereas all other causes remained stable or declined!)

• Stress contributes to heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and other illnesses in many individuals.

• Stress also affects the immune system, which protects us from many serious diseases.

• Tranquilizers, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications account for one fourth of all prescriptions written in the U.S. each year.

• Stress also contributes to the development of alcoholism, obesity, suicide, drug addiction, cigarette addiction, and other harmful behaviors.

• The U.S. Public Health Service has made reducing stress by the year 2000 one of its major health promotion goals.

What are some methods you use to help reduce the stress in your life?

Are Sex Addicts For Real?

Are some men actually addicted to sex, or is the term “sex addiction” really just another name for men’s propensity to stray? This is a question explored by media outlets last week after Tiger Wood’s public apology for straying from his wife, Elin, on a rather grand scale.

According to WomensHealth.com, about 63% of women surveyed on an online poll felt that sex addiction ultimately amounts to “an excuse for infidelity,” but Ian Kerner, Ph.D. disagrees. Dr. Kerner, a therapist and the author of multiple books on sex, says that women “have a hard time believing that sexual compulsion exists because in part, they can’t relate to it.” Men and women, in short, experience the sexual act differently, which experts think may account for the fact that 90% of identified sex addicts are male.

What do you think? Does sex addiction mean a man needs a 12-step recovery program or a boot out the door? MSNBC is polling now, and you can register your vote online and see what other people are saying now.

Women’s Work: You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby

Against what some say is conventional wisdom, domestic happiness may, in many cases, equate to a good education and two paychecks.

When American women took to colleges and offices in droves during the 1960s and 1970s, national debate ensued on the potential effects on family life when a wife works outside the home. Divorce rates climbed. “Latchkey children” became a household term. The perfume Enjoli released a commercial showing a woman energetically taking on both new and traditional roles, while working women in general struggled to find time in a world where husbands raised in a traditional household resisted sharing domestic chores.

Forty years later, the debate continues. However, time has allowed researchers to evaluate more closely the changes that have come about since the boom of female professionals, and online news outlets are reporting that the overall effect on marriage isn’t half bad. In fact, according to a study by the Pew Research Center, men who marry working women with college degrees tend to fair quite nicely both economically and in matrimony.

How can this be, you say? Doesn’t everybody quote the divorce rate at about 50%? And hey, what about all those couples who live together instead of getting hitched?

Well, good points, all. But the Pew study found that the educational component was a pretty big factor in marriage. The number of people who get married is falling, but mostly among Americans without college degrees. In contrast, people with college degrees are more likely to get married. They also have better earning power as a duel income household – especially now, as the gender wage gap continues to close.

Furthermore, according to the New York Times article, the shift in traditional responsibilities is resulting in a more satisfying married life, which ultimately translates into lower divorce rates. Women today are more likely to choose a spouse based on compatibility factors other than earning potential.

This is not to imply that sharing responsibility in terms of income and household responsibilities yields Utopia. Working women still shoulder two-thirds of domestic duties, and some men struggle with social expectations that continue to support a more traditional masculine role.

Still, the changes that created this new dimension of domestic partnership highlight some real advantages supplied to marriage by the education and career aspirations of women. Especially in the case of married men who can cheerfully wash dishes.

Image from freedigitalphotos.net

When Men Sexually Harass Men

According to a recent Newsweek article, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has seen the number of sexual harassment reports made by men double between 1992 and 1998, constituting 16% of sexual harassment reports. While this statistic may cause flashbacks from Michael Crichton’s Disclosure, starring Demi Moore as a sexual predator, most of the sexual harassment reports aren’t made against women – they are made against other men.

Surprised? Don’t be. According to researchers, no matter what gender is on the receiving end of harassment, the harassment itself is about power and intimidation, not about sexual attraction.

This is a problem for employers, both from a legal and business standpoint. Not only are companies liable for same-sex sexual harassment, but it creates a hostile work environment that prevents employees from functioning in their job duties.

People who are sexually harassed at work or school can experience not only social repercussions (i.e., being subject to scrutiny and gossip, stress in relationships, etc.), but health repercussions as well. Victims of sexual harassment may develop headaches, eating disorders, insomnia, and depression. Some victims may even entertain thoughts of suicide.

For more information on sexual harassment, you can go to one of the many online support organizations, or organizations promoting workplace fairness and safety.

Image from freedigitalphotos.net

Depression Quote

Depression is nourished by a lifetime of ungrieved and unforgiven hurts.
Penelope Sweet

Blaming Goes Viral

Have you ever noticed how when one person in a group passes the blame for a problem, others tend to do the same? If so, you’re not alone; scientists who study behavior in social settings have found ditching responsibility isn’t typically a one-person game (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34940422/ns/health-behavior). It seems that blaming others for failure is, like the common cold, “catchy.”

Why does this happen? Being blamed produces negative feelings, and a scapegoat naturally wants flee the unwanted attention. Because someone else has already pointed a finger, it is easy to think of the act of passing the blame as somewhat legitimized. Therefore, following the blamer’s lead represents a quick fix to an uncomfortable situation.

Unfortunately, blame produces a lasting negative effect on mood and, in situations where blame is frequently employed, it also negatively affects people’s ability to learn or work.

These consequences are bad news for employers, who now more than ever need efficient employees. According to the investigators, businesses that want to battle this problem should start at the top, with leaders who model the kind of behavior they want to see in employees. Just as blame can “trickle down,” so does the act of taking responsibility.

Belief: Source of Strength or Foundation for Terrorism?

The reports on the power of belief are abundant, with belief credited for healing, achievement, and happiness. However, on a much less positive note, belief is expected to take front and center stage again as the media begins to cover the trial of Scott Roeder , who confessed to killing Dr. George Tiller, an abortion provider, as Tiller was performing the duties of usher at his Wichita, Kansas church last May.

Roeder, who is reported to suffer from bipolar disorder, adopted extremely conservative viewpoints in adult life in both religion and politics. His involvement in the anti-government movement and obsession with countering gun control and abortion is credited by his ex-wife for the dissolution of their relationship and marriage.

The media and political institutions have dubbed belief systems like Roeder’s “extremism,” in which beliefs put an individual sharply at odds with society in general. This creates frustrations can result, at best, in intolerant attitudes, and at worst, violence, as in the 1995 bombing performed by Timothy McVey of an Oklahoma City government building. Roeder himself has on a previous occasion been found in possession of bomb building materials. At the time of his arrest for Tiller’s murder, Roeder was reported to have the phone number of Cheryl Sullenger, an Operation Rescue employee who served two years in prison for conspiring to bomb a California abortion clinic.

Given this information, will Roeder’s trial provide us as individuals with an opportunity to reevaluate our own beliefs? Possibly. But beyond self-exploration, belief could have some very real ramifications in the trial.

Under certain circumstances, belief is a game changer in U.S. law and legislation. In Roeder’s prosecution, for example, the issue of abortion becomes a double edged sword. Roeder’s belief that killing Tiller prevented the murder of unborn children may be used in court in an attempt to reduce the charge of murder to voluntary manslaughter. Furthermore, while the court will surely attempt to keep the abortion debate to a minimum, the highly polarizing issue may create bias within jurors.

Is Scott Roeder a calculating murderer or were his actions a misguided exercise in good intention? We’ll see how long it takes for the court to decide.

Image from freedigitalphotos.net

What Pets are Doing for Traumatized Vets

Chalk up another one for Fido.

Researchers have long known that companion animals are good for our health, both mentally and physically. Today, therapeutic programs are available using a wide variety of animals, from horses to dolphins, aquarium fish to bunnies.

The benefits of therapeutic programs using companion animals don’t necessarily travel on a one-way street, either. A relatively new organization, called Pets2Vets, is giving kindness double duty by providing veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with therapeutic companionship by pairing them with animals in need of a home.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur in anyone who has experienced a traumatic event, but it has a high occurrence in veterans who have been exposed to the stresses of combat. Companion animals, such as dogs, are successfully providing vets with a comforting relationship as well as a positive diversion during times when emotions might otherwise get the best of them.

Image from freedigitalphotos.net

Mirror, Mirror

Is beauty only skin deep? Researchers think the answer is “maybe not.” If you are a woman, your physical appearance may also play a role in your happiness, especially if you live around a lot of people.

Why? Some experts hypothesize that people who live in densely populated areas must compete more to gain attention, and appearance is often people’s first opportunity to assess others. Attractive women who garner attention are likely to feel more satisfied and happy than women who are noticed less.

On the flip side, the happiness of women living in rural areas tends not to be connected with their physical appearance, because they have a greater opportunity feel connected with their community regardless of how attractive they are. Simply put, as there are not as many people to divide attention. Furthermore, small communities usually have longer-term residents, creating opportunities for interpersonal intimacy that urban dwellers don’t often have.

So, can those of us who weren’t born to grace the cover of Cosmo happily bloom when planted in a large city like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles? Absolutely. But from time to time, we may have to stretch a littler farther to catch some rays from the sun.

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Holiday Cheer – and Fear

The holiday season is upon us, and while celebrations with family, coworkers, and friends are supposed to be happy affairs, they create in many people feelings of dread. After all, meals have to be cooked, presents must be purchased and wrapped, invitations to social functions must be answered, and expectations run high that all of these things will go off without a hitch.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that some people get stressed out, sometimes to the point of being depressed. The question is: how can people avoid developing negative feelings in the midst of all this social pressure?
According to the folks at Mayo Clinic, there are several ways that you can reduce holiday stress, including:

1. Acknowledge your feelings. Happiness isn’t a product delivered to your door in a gift basket. It’s okay to express your real feelings or take a time out during the times that you can’t deal with the festivities.
2. Reach out. If the holidays create- or exacerbate- feelings of loneliness, don’t wait for people to come to you. Go out to them by attending family get-togethers or community events.
3. Be realistic. When things aren’t going the way you think they should, remind yourself that there’s no such thing as perfect.
4. Set aside differences. The holidays are a time for peace and goodwill toward others, not a reenactment of the “OK Corral.”
5. Abide by your budget. Don’t clean out your checking account in an effort to make people happy. Instead, choose gifts that you can comfortably pay for. Remember, it really is the thought that counts.
6. Plan ahead. When your schedule gets tight, the last thing that you need to fret about is the possibility that you forgot the cranberries at the grocery. Take a cue from Santa – make a list, check it twice, and rest easy that everything’s covered when crunch time comes.
7. Say “no” sometimes. Don’t feel obligated to participate just to meet other people’s expectations. If you have three party invitations but only feel like going to one, send your regrets for the other two without guilt.
8. Keep your healthy habits. Champagne, cookies and candy are wonderful holiday indulgences, but in moderation. Overdo it, and you could come up with some collateral damage in terms of weight, sleep, and energy.
9. Take time for yourself. Togetherness is great, but you have needs as an individual that shouldn’t be ignored. Get head space by taking a walk, a warm bath, or snuggle up to a fire with your favorite book.
10. Seek out help if you become overwhelmed. Don’t hesitate to see your doctor if you feel yourself losing energy, having trouble with sleep, or dealing with negative feelings that won’t go away.

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Image:  freedigitalphotos.net

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