You might have gotten your first credit card offer when you were still in college. It was exciting—the idea that you could be entrusted with a credit card account. You could suddenly buy things you never dreamed possible. Your standard of living seemed to grow considerably. This was especially important during your college years, when money was so tight.

You may have run up your credit card balances when you had your first child. You had to buy so many things—a bassinet, crib, stroller—and a credit card seemed a good way to pay for it. You might have realized that it was wrong to overcharge, but you felt as if you had no other option. Suddenly, you found yourself facing a mountain of credit card debt.

Millions of us use credit cards each day to pay for both major ticket items and minor goods. Credit cards are a multi-billion dollar industry, and the industry seems to be growing all the time. Yet, there can be a tremendous amount of stress associated with paying with plastic. This stress can also be difficult to alleviate, since credit card use can be so addictive.

There can be the stress involved in paying off your monthly balances. The balances might grow so great, in fact, that you may have trouble paying them off entirely. There can be the stress involved in trying to manage multiple credit cards. Also, you might find yourself stressed out by even minimum monthly payments. If you have to balance other major bills, such as a mortgage and car payments, the financial stress can seem overwhelming.

How do you deal with such stress? There are a number of strategies you can use. To begin with, you can try cutting up your credit cards. This will eliminate the temptation to overspend altogether. When your balances are no longer rising, you might find it easier to deal with credit card debt.

However, you may view credit cards as a natural part of life. Therefore, you might not want to eliminate them from your wallet. In such a case, you must learn to somehow deal with credit card debt. There are a couple of different ways to do this. For instance, you might call the credit card company and try to re-negotiate your interest rate. This may require you to talk with a supervisor, but it can be well worth the effort. Cutting your interest rate can significantly lower your payments.

Another technique you can use is to put yourself on a credit card budget. Figure out, realistically, how much credit card debt you can handle each month. Once you figure out your limit, do not go over it under any circumstances. Otherwise, you could find yourself paying significant monthly payments.

Also, try, if at all possible, to pay your credit card bills on time. This means eliminating late fees, which can prove to be a significant expense. By paying your bills on time, you will improve your credit rating and you’ll find yourself dealing with less stress.

In some cases, the best way to deal with credit card stress is to discuss your problems with a credit counselor. He or she may be able to work out a more manageable payment plan for you. With the counselor’s help, you should also learn techniques for better managing your money. Best of all, such counseling is free, so it will not cause you additional financial stress. You may find yourself to be tremendously relieved after talking with a credit counselor about your problems.

You should not be embarrassed by the fact that you are undergoing major credit card stress. It can literally happen to anyone, particularly since credit cards are so widely available. The important thing to remember is that credit card stress, while difficult, is completely manageable. By invoking proven money management strategies, you can learn to deal effectively with your stress. You may even find that using credit cards becomes an enjoyable experience, since you are doing it so rarely. Also, be sure to talk with members of your family about the stress you are undergoing. They may be able to help ease your stress level—and they may curb their own spending habits as a result.

DISCLAIMER:

This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.

Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”

It might have started with a panic attack during your algebra exam in high school. It then might have progressed into depression in college, and post-partum depression after the birth of your first child. At times, you might have even felt so desperate that you wanted to commit suicide.

Or perhaps you have a brother who seems in the grips of full-blown paranoia. No matter how much you try, you just cannot reach him. He’s convinced that the FBI is watching his every move, and no one can convince him otherwise. You want him to seek professional help, but he is reluctant to do so.

Mental illness can create tremendous stress for a family. Because the illness is so misunderstood, there is the problem of the stigma attached to it. You might be ashamed or embarrassed, either by your own mental illness or that of a close family member or friend. You may feel as if you are all alone, that no one else could possibly understand what you are going through.

Mental illness routinely creates financial stress for families. Sometimes, overspending is a sign of manic-depressive disorder. A depressed person might invest too much of the family income on a collection of guns or hunting knives. Disputes over finances can create great tensions for families, making it difficult for them to cope.

In addition, mental illness creates tensions within interpersonal relationships. You might be angry with a partner’s mood swings—not understanding that it is a situation beyond his or her control. You may be frustrated with a brother who doesn’t seem able to hold down a job. You may simply not understand a sister whose promiscuous lifestyle you consider to be dangerous.

The important thing to realize is that, while the stress of mental illness can seem unbearable at times, it is entirely manageable. If you are the individual suffering from mental illness, make an appointment to see a reputable therapist. He or she can help you sort out your problems and can recommend a psychiatrist who can find the medication that is right for you.

Part of the stress of mental illness can be the difficulty involved in finding a medication that works. You may find the side-effects of a particular drug difficult to deal with at first. Psychiatrists say it is best if you follow the doctor’s recommendation and try to manage the side-effects as best you can. Going off your medication can have disastrous consequences—and can lead to a great deal more stress.

At times, you might find that your mental illness requires you to go into the hospital for a time. Such hospitalizations can increase your stress level. However, if you think of the hospital stays as just steps on the road to recovery, you will be able to handle the stress much more effectively.

Coping with another’s mental illness can be even more stressful. Mental illness can be quite unpredictable, so it can drain your emotional reserves. It can be highly difficult dealing with a situation that changes so abruptly from one minute to the next. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to join a support group for family members of the mentally ill. This can be tremendously cathartic. You will be able to talk to other people who are going through the same things that you are going through. You can draw comfort and strength from this network of individuals. Some members of your support group may even allow you to call them at home to discuss your problems further. There is no substitute for a listening ear, especially in the rough times.

You may also want to consider family counseling. In this way, the entire family can be involved in a loved one’s recovery from mental illness. You’ll be able to learn healthy coping strategies for dealing with another’s illness, and you will be able to communicate in an open, supportive atmosphere.

There is little doubt that mental illness can lead to life-long stress. However, with a little bit of effort, you can learn to manage this stress effectively. And you will find that you and your family are better off as a result.

DISCLAIMER:

This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.

Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”

At certain points in your life, you might have been plagued with worry. It might have been in the wake of beginning a marriage, starting a new career, or caring for a sick child. The worry might have affected you not only emotionally but physically as well. You might have experienced feelings of uneasiness, faintness, or breathing troubles.

There are degrees of severity when it comes to anxiety. For instance, it can be mild, lasting only a day or two, or severe, lasting an entire month. You might experience generalized anxiety disorder or something more specific such as phobias, panic, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Anxiety might be treated with an anti-depressant or an anti-anxiety medication. Generally speaking, there are three categories of anti-depressants: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs; tricyclics; and monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs. SSRIs include Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft. These anti-depressants often have fewer side-effects than the older generation of anti-depressants. Initially, you might feel nervous taking SSRIs, but the feeling often disappears after a few weeks. One of the most important side-effects of these drugs is sexual dysfunction, which can often be corrected by changing the dosage.

Tricyclics tend to have side effects such as sleepiness, dizziness, and weight gain. They are older than the SSRIs, so there has been more research conducted on them. Meanwhile, MAOIs can cause a reaction if mixed with certain foods and drinks, such as cheese and wine. These reactions can include increased blood pressure and other life-threatening problems.

Side-effects of anti-anxiety medications include fatigue, confusion, or drowsiness. The medications may be taken two or three times a day or just when needed. Dosage starts low then increases until symptoms disappear. The amount of medication prescribed varies according to symptoms and a person’s body chemistry. Doctors generally believe that you should not drink alcohol while taking anti-anxiety medication because the combination can create a life-threatening situation.

Because the medication can lead to dependence, the drugs are usually prescribed for only days or weeks at a time. In fact, a user might be directed to take the medication only when symptoms of anxiety occur. In some cases, individuals suffering from anxiety may need treatment for an extended period of time. If you begin taking anti-anxiety medication, it is important that you stay on it until the doctor recommends that you stop taking it. If you stop abruptly, you may experience anxiety, dizziness, or loss of appetite. Common forms of anxiety medication include Valium, Ativan, and Xanax.

At times, physicians may prescribe beta-blockers to combat anxiety. While beta-blockers such as propanolol may be used to deal with heart damage, they have also emerged as an effective treatment for social anxiety. If you face a stressful situation, such as a job interview, your physician may give you a beta-blocker that can keep your palms from sweating, your head from swelling, and treat other symptoms of anxiety.

There are certain steps you should take before you begin a drug regimen for anxiety. For instance, you should do your homework on the drug. Find out what side-effects it causes, and determine whether you can live with those side-effects. Also, you’ll need to inform your doctor of any over-the-counter medications you are using. Be sure to find out how long you will have to take the drug. You should realize that if you decide to stop taking the drug, you could find symptoms of anxiety reappearing.

If you’ve been diagnosed with anxiety, it can be a daunting experience. You may not know where to go or who to turn to. However, it’s best if you begin your search for treatment with your family physician, who can refer you to a psychiatrist if need be. While any type of anxiety medication can lead to side-effects, many people report good experiences, particularly with SSRIs. By working closely with your physician, you can find the medication that’s appropriate for you. However, you should know that medication may be only one part of the treatment puzzle. You may also need to engage in talk therapy or join a support group in order to alleviate your symptoms. The good news is that the prognosis is good for those who’ve been diagnosed with anxiety.

DISCLAIMER:

This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.

Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”

It may begin with an eyestrain-related headache brought on by hours staring at a computer screen. Or you might experience pain after spending an hour or more with a telephone receiver cradled in your neck. After nearly eight hours standing up, your feet might be throbbing. Your pains, however, appear to be exacerbated by stress.

Stress can manifest itself in a number of physical ways. Headaches, earaches, abdominal pain, a tingling in our arms and legs, and nausea can all be signs of stress. In other words, the pressures that we are under can make us physically ill. As a result, it’s not surprising that we would seek a physical relief from stress.

One of the best ways to deal with stress is to indulge your senses. Our senses are like our personal radar detectors, letting us know when we are nearing something that is inherently good. Therefore, it is important that we surround ourselves with things that will appeal to our senses.

First, indulge your eyes. This can be done in any number of ways. For instance, you might make sure that you arise early enough to see the sun rise on a summer day. The joy and peace you feel gazing at the magnificent colors can greatly reduce the amount of stress you feel during the course of your day. You might also watch a videotape that features an excursion to some exotic locale. Drinking in the palm trees and the ocean waves can calm your nerves considerably. You might also consider a trip to your local zoo. There, you can witness first-hand the magnificence of various animal species, from the striped zebras to the dotted leopards.

Next, consider making a “sound escape.” Retreat to your backyard, sit in the grass, close your eyes, and listen. It’s best to do this early in the morning or late at night, when there is not a great deal of activity around. You may hear the songs of robins…the hum of the cicadas…or the purr of a kitten. Such nature sounds are incredibly soothing and can provide you with a great escape from your normal routine. You might even consider keeping a CD in your home of nature sounds that you can play when you feel as if you’re at the breaking point.

Aromatherapy is a favorite relaxation technique nowadays. This involves treating your nose to exquisite scents. Scented candles, incense, or scented oils can help to “calm down” your living space, creating a soothing atmosphere. Some plug-in air fresheners can also be quite effective in re-awakening your sense of smell. Or you might consider cooking with ingredients that have incredible scents and allowing the aroma to overpower your kitchen. There is nothing quite so comforting as the smell of fresh bread baking or tomato-basil sauce simmering on the stove.

When trying to de-stress, don’t forget to indulge your sense of taste. While you won’t want to eat so much that you become overweight, enjoying a few taste sensations can be good for both stomach and soul. Consider adding some fresh mint to your iced tea, or a lime wedge to your cola drink. A sliver of chocolate or a taste of vanilla has also been known to help soothe frayed nerves. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different tastes until you settle upon those that are true stress-relievers.

Many people combat stress by engaging their sense of touch. It is no surprise that mothers-to-be often take up knitting—the sensation of tugging at the yarn can be quite relaxing at a stressful time. You might also consider taking up crocheting, needlepoint, or pottery-making. Such activities have the added bonus of allowing you to show off your artistic flair. And you can fill your home with the beautiful art objects you are able to create. You’ll feel a sense of pride that will lift your spirits—and will make you better able to deal with stressful situations.

Each day, stress tries our senses. It can blur our vision, disrupt our hearing, and dull our sense of taste. The obvious antidote to this is to introduce things into our lives that engage our senses in a positive way, that brighten our day. Such things can seem minor, but they can make a huge difference in how we are able to handle stress.

DISCLAIMER:

This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.

Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”

It’s the time that you’ve been waiting for all year long. You have an uninterrupted two weeks away from work. While it should be a time of non-stop relaxation, the idea of your vacation is already beginning to stress you out. You wonder if you’ll return from your trip more frustrated and agitated than when you left.

At this point, you’re stressed out about the cost of the trip…whether your plane will arrive in time for you to take your cruise…if you’ll have enough clothes for your journey…how to keep your children in line during the trip…and whether you will actually enjoy yourself. Instead of being a soothing trip away from it all, your vacation is quickly becoming a major stress event.

It doesn’t have to be this way. You can enjoy a vacation that carries with it a minimum amount of stress. However, it will not happen without some concerted effort on your part. In essence, you must work to have fun—and the sooner you realize that, the less stress you’ll encounter.

A relatively stress-free vacation requires a great deal of advanced planning. To begin with, you should develop a budget for your vacation, based upon how much money you’ve saved. Resist the temptation to charge it all on your credit card. Otherwise, you’ll have to endure a great deal of financial stress once you return from your trip. Once you’ve established a budget, be sure to stick to it. Overspending will simply exacerbate your stress.

Next, you should seriously consider booking your vacation through a travel agent. The agent can do a great deal of the planning for you. An experienced agent will also know the pitfalls you’ll want to avoid. He or she is in the business of making vacationers happy, so the agent will have extra incentive to make sure that your vacation goes well.

As you plan your trip with your travel agent, there are some key questions you should ask yourself. For instance, would you enjoy an adventure-related vacation, such as riding the rapids or going to a dude ranch? Or are you more interested in shopping and sightseeing? Is your idea of a relaxing time a flight through the clouds or a cruise along the waves? The more information your agent has about your personal preferences, the better able he or she will be to plan a vacation that’s relaxing for you.

Determine in advance exactly how much time you’ll need off in order to ensure that your vacation is a success. If you allot too little time, you could find yourself begging your boss for additional time as your vacation comes to an end, causing both you (and your boss) additional stress. Also, don’t allot so much time that you’ll become restless. You’ll want a vacation that gives you a respite from your daily duties, but that does not leave you feeling completely out of touch.

Be sure to find out from the travel agent just what kind of weather you’re likely to encounter on your trip. One of the most stressful aspects of a vacation can be finding that you are unprepared for the weather. Find out exactly what kind of temperatures you can expect, whether there is likely to be wind, and how likely it is that it will rain. In this way, you can prepare yourself for the type of conditions you’re likely to encounter.

Be generous with your packing—but not overly generous. In other words, make sure that you pack everything you’re likely to need, but don’t pack non-essentials. You’ll want to make sure that you have enough clothes to last your entire journey, since it might be hard for you to find laundry facilities along the way. But you don’t want to be so weighted down that you can’t move your suitcase. Also, be sure to leave room in your suitcase for the souvenirs you’ll want to buy for your friends and family members.

A vacation should be the most relaxing event of the year. That’s why it’s important that you try to make it as stress-free as possible. By maintaining a sensible budget, doing some extensive planning, and asking for help if you need it, you should be in a position to reduce your stress level considerably. Bon voyage!

DISCLAIMER:

This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.

Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”