Sep 26, 2008 11:02 am US/Eastern
Expert: Don't Allow Money Woes To Affect Health
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) ―
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People rally in front of the New York Stock Exchange against the proposed government buyout of financial firms on Sept. 25, 2008, in New York City.
Spencer Platt
Worrying about your financial future can have a real impact on your state of mind. CBS station KYW-TV's medical reporter Stephanie Stahl has advice on how to deal with your anxiety.
With big swings in the market and high-profile bank closings, Americans are worried about the bottom line. The market is down, and anxiety is up.
"I would say at the end of my day, it's one more thing to keep me up at night," said Adrienne Marks.
"I don't have the time to make up the money. I can't recoup what I lost," lamented Betsy Williams. "I think I'll be working forever."
"It is more on my mind that it was before," said Anthony Foy.
With the news everywhere, and with President Bush warning we could experience a long and painful recession, it's hard to ignore.
Therapist Ruthy Kaiser said, "It's probably not an overstatement to say that people are in a state of panic."
That includes therapists like her.
"I, being human, called my financial advisor this morning and said, 'Do I need to panic?'" said Kaiser.
But Kaiser knows how to approach her anxiety.
First step: take what actions you can take. "Just sit down and look at the concrete things that can actually be done," said Kaiser.
Then find a way to deal with your anxiety. "Would it help to go for a walk or run? You've done the steps that need to be taken, so now what do you do with your anxiety?" said Kaiser.
Your stress over a troubled financial future can have a domino effect on your life. "It impacts marriages and families and individuals in every way, because people are frightened," said Kaiser.
Kaiser also told us it's important to recognize what you have to worry about today, because sometimes the big picture can be overwhelming.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
CBS News Interactive: Healthwatch
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