Can Your Health Improve From the Recession?
Colleen Murray
Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: Health
by COLLEEN MURRAY
Health Editor
When the economy slips, it seems to take everything else for the ride-except, perhaps, your health. According to a study by CNN.com, however, which reviewed the Great Depression and other periods of
fiscal downturn, researchers found mortality rates to decrease and life expectancy to increase.
The results showed that the most common causes of death between 1920 and 1940 - heart and kidney disease, tuberculosis, and traffic accident deaths - fell during economic strife, but the casualties increased when the economy did well.
Possible reasons cited for longer lives in harder times included less smoking and drinking, eating at home more often, and using alternate methods of transportation.
The Spotlight, a newsletter from the Pace Counseling Center, recently addressed the stress and mental health factors of recession. Authored by Lauren Saler, a senior staff psychologist at the Center, the article notes that financial concerns are among the primary motives that bring students to seek counseling.
The newsletter offers several tips, including staying calm and not acting out of fear. It also suggests planning out a budget. This can reduce stress and show students where and what they are losing or spending too much on in their daily lives. Students were also encouraged to spend more time, money and attention on things that will make them truly happy instead of material objects that will only bring temporary pleasure.
"Spend your money to grow relationships with friends, family, and community," Saler advises.
She also recommends talking to a professional, either on or off campus.
"Counselors are available to assist students with these and other types of personal stressors," she added.
The Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Administration Center. More information can be found at pace.edu/counseling.
Colleen Murray can be reached at cm30943n@pace.edu
Health Editor
When the economy slips, it seems to take everything else for the ride-except, perhaps, your health. According to a study by CNN.com, however, which reviewed the Great Depression and other periods of
fiscal downturn, researchers found mortality rates to decrease and life expectancy to increase.
The results showed that the most common causes of death between 1920 and 1940 - heart and kidney disease, tuberculosis, and traffic accident deaths - fell during economic strife, but the casualties increased when the economy did well.
Possible reasons cited for longer lives in harder times included less smoking and drinking, eating at home more often, and using alternate methods of transportation.
The Spotlight, a newsletter from the Pace Counseling Center, recently addressed the stress and mental health factors of recession. Authored by Lauren Saler, a senior staff psychologist at the Center, the article notes that financial concerns are among the primary motives that bring students to seek counseling.
The newsletter offers several tips, including staying calm and not acting out of fear. It also suggests planning out a budget. This can reduce stress and show students where and what they are losing or spending too much on in their daily lives. Students were also encouraged to spend more time, money and attention on things that will make them truly happy instead of material objects that will only bring temporary pleasure.
"Spend your money to grow relationships with friends, family, and community," Saler advises.
She also recommends talking to a professional, either on or off campus.
"Counselors are available to assist students with these and other types of personal stressors," she added.
The Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Administration Center. More information can be found at pace.edu/counseling.
Colleen Murray can be reached at cm30943n@pace.edu
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