Valueoptions® Advises Plenty Of Sleep And Exercise Can Help Lower Stress In Tough Economic Times

Main Category: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Also Included In: Anxiety / Stress;  Mental Health;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 29 Oct 2008 - 5:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

ValueOptions®, Inc., the nation's largest independent behavioral health care and wellness provider, reports an 89 percent increase in calls this year from members presenting specifically with issues concerning bankruptcy, foreclosures and financial hardship cases. To help individuals and families weather the uncertainties of the current economy, ValueOptions® provides recommendations for managing financial-related stress and how to maintain good physical health and mental health.

"The news today is saturated with falling stock prices and a weak housing market," said Rich Paul, Vice President, ValueOptions® Health & Performance Solutions. "Its understandable that many people are on edge. We want to remind people that there are healthy ways for dealing with stress and anxiety in these troubling economic times. Keeping good health is also vital to preventing chronic health issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease and promoting longevity."

ValueOptions® recommends ten behavioral health and wellness strategies for coping with stress during financial uncertainties:

1) Take time out to relax and regroup. A quiet place can help preserve one's mental and emotional health.

2) Share your thoughts and feelings with those you trust. A connection to family and friends for advice and support can significantly reduce tension and worry.

3) Eat nutritious foods, drink lots of water and limit items that are high in sugar and salt. A well-balanced diet is vital to maintaining good health and wellness and preventing chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.

4) Set aside time for regular physical activity such as walking or riding a bike. Exercise relieves stress and anxiety. It also decreases the risk for high blood pressure, arthritis and obesity.

5) Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is essential to maintaining good mental and physical health. Sleep deprivation can adversely affect the mind and body in numerous ways such as memory loss, reduced concentration, anxiety and irritability and can weaken the body's immune system.

6) Maintain a positive balance of life at work and at home. A healthy balance among work, personal and family commitments improves quality of life and helps reduce stress.

7) Prolonged stress can have a negative impact on physical, mental and emotional health. Take time to build personal stress management techniques to help reduce tension and restore confidence and peace of mind.

8) Avoid using alcohol or drugs to block out or numb feelings. These substances can put your health at risk for serious short-term and long-term physical and mental health problems.

9) Contact a mental health professional if you feel overwhelmed and need help coping with a difficult situation. A licensed behavioral health provider helps people discover ways to overcome challenges, develop inner strengths or skills, and make changes in themselves or their situations.

10) Watch for signs of distress in those around you. If you see someone with frequent mood changes, persistent or uncontrollable crying, lack of interest in any pleasurable activity, withdrawal from family and friends, thoughts of suicide, encourage him or her to seek immediate help.

"People who find themselves feeling anxious or distracted as a result of the current financial crisis should also seek the support of their employer's employee assistance program, which provides counseling and referrals to appropriate resources," said Paul. "For many, simply increasing one's financial literacy can give them a sense of control and peace of mind."

About ValueOptions®, Inc.

ValueOptions®, Inc., the nation's largest independent behavioral health and wellness company, provides services to more than 23 million individuals through a variety of contracts with state and county agencies and, additionally, with health plans and employers. ValueOptions® is a national managed care and employee assistance company that specializes in management for all behavioral health issues, and mental health and chemical dependency diagnoses. Our mission is to improve the lives of the people we serve.

http://www.ValueOptions.com