The Debt Crisis—How to control your own stress when the government stresses out!

Kathleen Ashton, Ph.D.

The Debt Crisis—How to control your own stress when the government stresses out!

Five Tips for Debt Crisis Stress Relief.

1. Focus on what is in your control. Write, e-mail, or tweet your senator, congressperson, or the President. Let them know what your priorities are for spending and your opinion on tax breaks.
2. Avoid information overload. Constant watching of 24 hour news channels, listening to pundits argue, reviewing internet articles can be overwhelming. Gather information in a small chunk from a reputable source. 
3. Don’t look too far ahead. Some people tend to think about all the worst case scenarios. Take one step at a time and don’t predict the future—unless you have psychic abilities!
4. Maintain your usual coping strategies. Get outside, exercise, eat right, and socialize with your friends. 
5. Make one small step to balance your own budget. Taking action helps people to feel positive. Make a meal instead of going out tonight, skip the designer coffee, have a small amount taken out of your paycheck each week and automatically deposited into a savings account. You’ll be doing your own small part to be financially responsible.

New technology brings new obsessions

#stress tip of the day: Use technology wisely not obsessively: Smartphone dependency: a growing obsession http://t.co/yf9sziY #psych

Delay those cravings when stressed!

Feel cravings for food when stressed? Delay just 10 min and watch craving fade! Make sure to keep busy with another activity that helps with your stress like breathing and exercise. http://t.co/cniRwrB #obesity #health

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Did You Know? July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental illness affects one in four American families and people in diverse communities are no exception. The U.S. Surgeon General reports that minorities:

• Are less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for their mental illness
• Have less access to and availability of mental health services
• Often receive a poorer quality of mental health care
• Are underrepresented in mental health research