Economy and the future getting you down? Afraid of what tomorrow holds? You’re not alone. One in three women rate their stress levels as extreme and there doesn’t appear to be a solution in site. What can girlfriends do?
Nearly 7,000 Americans responded to the survey between April and September this year. Within five months, anxiety about the economy had jumped from 66 percent to 80 percent. The poll was conducted before the passage of the $700 billion bailout bill last week and Monday’s stock market tumble.
Half of the respondents in the survey said they are increasingly stressed about their ability to provide for their family’s basic needs. More than half, 56 percent, expressed concerns about job stability. This has translated into less productivity at work, because of anxieties about salary, heavy workload and job security.
Women are more worried than men, in terms of their personal finances, the economy, work, housing costs and job stability, according to the survey.
“The declining state of the nation’s economy is taking a physical and emotional toll on people nationwide, and it is women who are bearing the brunt of financial stress,”according to the survey.
They are more stressed out because they’re less economically secure than men, said Barbara Gault, vice president and director of research at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. “Many women are one divorce away from poverty. Women have more to worry about in terms of economic security and are more likely to be poor in old age than men,” she said.
So, what does this mean to girlfriends? According to this same story on The Today Show this morning, men and women will turn to alcohol and cigarettes (but who could afford them, right?!) as stress relievers. That our bodies will take the hit - we’ll suffer stress-related weight gain, sleeplessness and other health issues. I beg to differ.
Research shows (per our favorite book, The Tending Instinct, by Shelley E. Taylor), that when under stress, women respond with ‘tend and befriend.’ We want to take care of our young and be with our friends. And, who helps us relieve stress more than girlfriends?!
Not that this economic situation isn’t serious or real, but for most of us, we can do little to change it. We however can choose the way in which we respond. Our friendships bring us laughter, hope, joy and a reminder of our true selves. Girlfriends accept us, hopefully in richer or poorer, and want only the best for us. Plus, aren’t old friends like gold?! We can spend money on other ’stress relievers’ or we can spend time with your friends … priceless!
On a scale of 1-10, how stressed are you? How are you handling it? What have you found to work to relieve stress? Be a girlfriend … share and help others reduce our stress.
Related articles: 10 Ways for Women to Reduce Stress, Girlfriends during Economic Downturn, Shop for Calming Girlfriend Gifts
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