1. Coping With the Family Stress in Challenging Economic Times Nancy M. Porter, Ph.D. Deborah J. Thomason, Ed.D.

2. 2 When do you feel stressed? – (keep a stress journal) What symptoms do you feel? What do you think triggers these feelings?

3. 3 What is it? Stress Seasonal Affective Disorder Holiday Blues Grief Depression Health Related Issues

4. 4 Everyday Blues “Everybody has the blues now and then” Neil Diamond “Song Sung Blue”

5. 5 Stress High levels of stress can impact your emotional well-being.

6. 6 Tips to Manage Stress Identify your stressors Change what you can Find a stress reliever Be flexible

7. 7 Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms Causes Treatments

8. 8 Holiday Blues May be related to: Stress SAD Loneliness Post-holiday let down

9. 9 Coping With Financial Stress Be realistic Avoid overspending Set priorities Focus on the present Share the load Be flexible

10. 10 Suggestions: Exercise Get enough rest Eat right Participate in enjoyable activities Spend time with others Keep a journal Positive self-talk Meditate Maintain humor Get enough light Forgive Help others

11. 11 Make a Plan Choose a new technique Write a plan (see handout) Try it the next time you feel stressed

12. 12 Helping Others What has been your experience in helping others who are feeling stressed? Is it hard to know whether to help or not? Did you know what to say or do?

13. 13 Help others by providing: Emotional support Listening ear Practical support Social interaction Optimistic outlook Encouragement to seek help

14. 14 Emotional Support Caring Understanding Patience Encouragement

15. 15 Listening Ear How do you know what to say? How do you bring up the subject?

16. 16 Good Listeners: Give full attention Let the person finish talking Allow pauses Facilitate discussion Validate feelings

17. 17 Encourage Social Interactions: Maintain relationships Participate in activities Volunteer Join a support group

18. 18 Optimism Is the glass half full or half empty?

19. 19 Professional Help Encourage seeking professional help to get on the road to a brighter future.

20. http://dprod4.clemson.edu/olos/asp/searchresults.asp ?s=Family+Relation

21. Deciding Which Bills to Pay First Nancy M. Porter, Ph.D. Deborah J. Thomason, Ed.D.