Press Release– Families Struggle with Stress as Economic Pressures Increase
Atlanta, Ga- As the current economic recession intensifies, average families are feeling the pinch in more than just their wallets. In addition to reducing buying power and changing lifestyle, financial strain can cause stress, anxiety and tension in families of all shapes and sizes. This stress can lead to health problems, relationship conflicts, and repercussions at work and school.
“Many couples find that arguments intensify and occur with more frequency during times of financial strain,” says Manda Turetsky, author of a new guide to help families address emotional issues related to finances. “Like any other major stressor, economic problems tend to amplify issues that were already present in a couple’s relationship. Minor irritations can turn into major explosions when stress plays a role.”
When couples have children, the situation becomes even more complex. According to Turetsky, parents often struggle with not only managing their own stress, but in preventing financial anxiety in their children. Anxiety can appear in kids as trouble sleeping, changes in eating habits, hoarding behaviors, aggression, withdrawal, or acting out at home or school.
“Parents want to know how much to tell their children about money, and what the age–appropriate messages are,” she says. “It can be hard to know where to draw the line between being honest and causing undue stress for children.”
Turetsky advises that couples try to sit down together and talk calmly about shared finances, discuss each partner’s feelings about money and its meaning, and create a plan together that meets the basic needs of both people. She suggests that parents plan a strategy together for talking with children that is both honest and reassuring, and to allow children to make choices about money whenever possible.
Finally, she recommends not focusing too much on money, even during hard times. “It may be tempting to have money on your mind all the time,” she says, “but I try to remind people that they shouldn’t let this issue define them. Keep in mind all the non-monetary things that make life fulfilling, like spending time together, staying healthy, helping others and enjoying spiritual pursuits. Those are the ingredients for a rich life, no matter how much money the family has.”
Manda Turetsky, MS, MBA is a therapist, life coach and author based in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the author of “Running (Together) on Empty: Helping your Family Stay Happy and Healthy During Difficult Economic Times.” The book is available for download at http://www.flourishconsulting.com/publications.html.