10 Tips for Managing Family Stress at Holidays

Holiday cheer…or is it holiday fear? While many of us are eagerly awaiting the arrival of family to help celebrate the holiday season, many are dreading the same event. I have heard patients and friends talk about ways to avoid being with certain relatives who they know will be rude, obnoxious, drunk, or all of [...]

Stress in Older Adults

For the past week, psychologists writing for this blog have talked about the 2010 Stress in America survey, which provides a glimpse into how different groups experience stress and how demographic variables impact stress, as well as the various coping strategies applied to manage stressors. The survey provides a wealth of information on various groups and factors, and there are several points regarding older adults and stress that should be pointed out.

Older adults reported generally lower levels of stress when compared to other age groups.

Preparing Mentally for Disasters

September is National Preparedness Month, a designated time for people to take time out and plan ahead for emergencies at home, business and communities. September is almost over, but it’s important to always be prepared for a disaster. We often think of ways to prepare physically for emergencies—storing bottled water, having a first aid kit and making a contact list of family and friends.

It’s also possible to prepare psychologically. Each disaster is different and requires some flexibility to expect the unexpected. Yet, there are issues and emotional reactions that are consistent in most disasters and can be anticipated. The more you understand how an emergency can affect your thoughts and feelings, the better you can respond to the situation and regain footing.