ONe of the Many – Be a Citizen of the World
December 1, 2009 by omitunde
Filed under global culture, health
Today is World AIDS Awareness Day, it is important “everyday” that “everyone” knows “everything” they need to not become a victim of AIDS/HIV. Know your status! The impact of this epidemic has devastated communities worldwide and promoting awareness is the number one issue.
It seems that no matter how much is said about AIDS/HIV it continues to claim lives. Ignorance is perpetuated by discrimination and shame.
Don’t be fooled that you are exempt because you are careful all the time and you are not one of “those” people who practice risky behavior. All it takes is one incident of unprotected sex or a blood transfusion that is tainted and you will become one of the many.
Ask yourself, “What do you really know about the people you are intimate with?” As women we make assumptions that all is well when we get involved with someone. Do you ask the question “what is your status?” If you take their word for it without proof or get tested together –“you are risking your very life”.
Even if someone shows you the results of a test that has been recently taken, you must still protect yourself. People in general are too quick to get involved intimately without making sure they are not going to become a victim of an STD. They take it too lightly that it could never happen to them.
While there are women and children dying all over the world from being raped and infected with the AIDS virus with no hope of receiving treatment, here in the US, we have prevention and treatment available to us – but we don’t take it seriously. Some children become orphans when their mothers go untreated and die because they have no means of fighting back.
Please teach each other and the children in your families about the enormous impact of this epidemic. In other countries young women are raped because the men believe that having sex with a virgin will cure them of AIDS. Babies are being raped and infected and in most cases killed.
In the book “Half the Sky” – stories are told of more that the total number of the 80 million killed in the “slave trade” being victimized, infected, killed or left for dead in the “sex trafficking” tragedy. Don’t think that because these people are a half a world away that it does not affect you. It does! What happens to women and children in the world community also affects us.
As a citizens of the world, it our collective responsibility to do whatever we can to fight the epidemic of AIDS/HIV in the world.
The Ego is the Main Componet of the MInd
In the book “The Tao of Health, The Way of Total Well-Being” by Michael Blate, I came across this interesting reflection of thought number 19.
This book was written in 1978 and it is still relevant today. Taoism can be timeless in itself. I read the I Ching and no matter what I read or how I choose what to read, it is always relevant.
Ego – the main “component” of mind belongs to the body as a fragrance belongs to a fish; though my bodymind is a whole, I have separate organs, and, as a hoarder conceals his riches in caches, I stash my incomplete reactions to change deeply – as tensions and warps – in my various organs.
My kidneys receive unfinished fear and sexual orgasm;
my liver, the remains of depression and anger;
my heart stores un-reacted joy and sorrow;
my lungs – anguish and resentment I have had to repress;
my spleen-pancreas is the trove and receptacle for stubbornness and empathy I have yet to expressThat which I have stashed as warps in my organs provides motivation for all that I seek -
Kidneys release caution and prudence;
Liver, aggressiveness and “pushing-forwardness”‘;
Heart – exuberance and “love of living”;
Lungs release concern and solicitude;
Spleen-pancreas – sympathy and persistence.
What is the point of all this deep reflection? Why is she writing about this stuff, I don’t understand it.
During this time, we are being told that this is a “stressful” time and the that the economy is in trouble. People are mad as hell about job loss, companies failing, health care, and a plethora of isues we can only solve with focused attention and determination to succeed.
Our well-being is at stake if we continue to be uptight about everything we hear and see on the news.
My goal in sharing this reflection is to offer a tool for healing and better living. I read these edicts from my various books as meditation tools that assist with me with staying on course.
Not having money, losing a job, being laid off, weight gain, isolation, worry and concern over the issues with the economy that affect us in ways we feel we cannot control; can lead to poor health.
There are many health issues that we do understand, but we can, if we pay closer attention to how we become led by our “ego” and react to the elements of our enviornment.
Much of what we react to is stored in our organs as fear, anger, frustration, repressed joy and general uptightness.
Become more aware of how your “ego” becomes the dominant force in how you conduct your life. Read the Tao of Healh, what ever gives you Peace.
It could be the Bible, or a book of devotions by your favorite author, your astrological forcast, or numerolgy.
Give yourself permission to be in a “sweet spot” in life. Dare to be happy. Dare to be healthy and give notice to the “ego” that you are in control of how the world affects you.
Sphere: Related ContentTake the Health Analyzer – learn about the nine systems of the body
Health Analyzer
It is time to get our health status in order and under control. It is not too late to make an effort to cleanse, eat better and exercise.
There are nine body systems that work interdependently in balance unless we neglect our health. When one system is out of balance, it affects the other systems.
Take the Health Analyzer (THIS IS A SAMPLE)
Answer the questions honestly and click on (view results) to go to the site where you will answer the questions and get the (sample results) shown here in step two.
| Like the musicians who make up an orchestra, the body systems-digestive, intestinal, circulatory, nervous, immune, respiratory, urinary, glandular and structural-must all work in harmony. When a concern in one body system arises, other systems are affected. Total health requires that all body systems be balanced.The majority of NSP’s products are categorized in nine body systems to allow you to easily select the products that will help you achieve your personal health goals. This Lifestyle Analysis will help you target your body systems most in need of nutritional supplementation. |
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Spring Cleaning is essential to Prepare for Allergy Season
It is allergy season and everyone is complaining about the beautiful flowers and the trees making them miserable.
Your eyes are watering, you are sneezing, your head hurts, you cannot sleep without propping yourself up on pillows and you are blaming all on spring.
“I got sinus”, “my family is allergic to everything”, “I can’t stand being outside”, I get all stopped up”, etc; etc; etc.
The spring is not your enemy! Your home or office environment and your body or your immune system is the reason you are suffering!
Why are so many people in the black community suffering from asthma and allergies?
Black children with asthma are twice as likely as white children to be hospitalized because of the disease, more than three times as likely to visit the emergency department more than three times as likely to die from asthma as white children.
Minority groups, particularly poor minorities, tend to have less access to health care and even when they see a doctor, the care they receive tends to be of lesser quality than white children.
Other environmental factors play a role, including substandard housing with higher levels of cockroach and rodent allergens, community violence because children spend much of their time indoors and are exposed to high rates of indoor allergens also exposure to pollution from high traffic in urban areas and last but not least the chronic stress experienced by people living in low socioeconomic neighborhoods and by African-Americans overall has been linked to asthma.
We take too many medications to get relief from our reaction to the change of seasons. Nature has to do what it does.
It is important to have the new growth in the Spring to wake up the seeds that have been hibernating all Winter. It is vital to have the wind blow the spores and buds all around to take root and grow new flowers and trees.
How can we complain about such a sacred process when we know it has to happen exactly that way every season?
Try something different this year and start with looking at your personal habits of how you eat and what is in your home that may be triggering your condition.
In your environment repeated exposure to specific allergens and irritants such as cigarette smoke or pet dander increases your risk of asthma.
Respiratory infection bronchitis as a child can increase the risk and weaken the immune system. Frequent colds and sinus infections is common in the winter due to exposure to viruses. It is possible to have a sinus condition that last for months or years if it is not properly treated.
Colds are the most common cause of acute sinusitis, but people with allergies are much more likely to develop sinusitis than people who do not have allergies.
Other factors contribute to the strength of our immune system
o Cold air from air conditioners
o Air Pollution
o Tobacco smoke
o Perfume, paint, hair spray
o Allergen particles such as dust mites, pollen, molds, pollution, and animal dander, dead skin cells. (change your bed linen)
o Common cold, influenza, and other respiratory illnesses
o Cockroaches can cause problems because roach droppings settle in house dust and can end up in the air you breathe
o Indoor Mold in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Molds also form in houseplants.
o Perfume, room deodorizers, cleaning chemicals, paint, and talcum powder.
o Dust Mites are tiny, microscopic spiders usually found in house dust. Several thousand mites can be found in a pinch of dust. Mites are one of the major triggers for people with allergies and asthma. Following these rules can also help get rid of dust mites
Spring Cleaning
o Put mattresses in allergen-impermeable covers. Tape over the length of the zipper.
o Put pillows in allergen-permeable covers. Tape over the length of the zipper. Or wash the pillow every week.
o Wash all bedding every week in water that is at least 130 degrees F. Removing the bedspread at night may help.
o Remove carpeting in the bedroom.
o Dusting by wiping off surface dust as often as possible.
o Window coverings attract dust. Use window shades or curtains made of plastic or other washable material for easy cleaning.
o Closets need extra care. Change the bags and clean out your vacuum cleaner and the air filters on your furnace and air conditioner.
I have fond memories of Spring cleaning because my mother took it very seriously. The windows were completely stripped of the heavy drapes that covered the windows in the Winter and washed with vinegar and water.
The walls were wiped down and sometimes painted with a fresh new coat of paint to brighten up the house for Spring.
The carpet was cleaned the rugs were taken outside and beaten on the clothesline. The furniture was cleaned with a brush and the cushions removed and set outside to air out.
Spring Cleaning is an important ritual in the home and should be taken seriously because it prepares for the abundance that the new season offers.
So before you complain about your allergies, consider taking some steps to improve conditions in your home and car to reduce your exposure.
The Dirty Little Secret that no one wants to talk about
To Rihanna and Chris Brown please get help your actions may save someone’s life.
If we are not already facing enough anxiety about money and layoffs, and foreclosures and now the secret is out in the open again. The truth is it never goes away, it has to be addressed.
Our family values about violence in the family is to not talk about and act like it does not exist so that men don’t go to jail and women will not press charges. so they will not end up alone or hurt again.
It does not matter who you are, no one is exempt and it can happen to people who have everything. Domestic Violence is a very serious problem in America for women and children in every ethnic group.
More women have been a victim of Domestic Violence than any of us would admit. The fear we have experienced at the hands of those we love is pure horror.
It is scary to admit to how much violence is a part of our lives, whether is it actually happens to us or someone we interact with every day.
Women are always blamed for causing or provoking a man to use violence against her. Violence against women is not even an important issue to society as a problem until a rich person is exposed or someone is killed.
To be fair, young boys witness abuse from their fathers in ways that can be more than just physical, like fathers who break down a young man’s self esteem with verbal abuse. There is a code of silence among men that ignores the impact of abuse on male children as adults that triggers the same behavior towards women.
During my childhood there were incidents of violence in someone’s house at least once or twice a week. It is a frightening and difficult thing to understand as children. Couples would argue and get loud about something and it would escalate into all out fighting with someone ending up bleeding.
Black family values created a web of silence and insulation almost protecting of the abuser, forcing the victim and the witnesses to go on with life like nothing happened. I don’t remember the police every coming to someone’s house in my neighborhood. The secret was kept in the confines of the community.
No wanted to talk about it then and the same is true today, the ugliness of it all creates a wall of fear that makes everyone afraid of what will happen if it is ever exposed. It is the wound that never heals and women that will never be the same so they will dress it up, cover it up and cope with it until the damage is smoothed over.
It was difficult to see a family embarrassed by the bruises and obvious signs of violence on the face of the mother. Sometimes my mother or another mother would take the children in and feed them to give the mother a chance to pull it together. We learned though our values to not show embarrassment and to be supportive of the family to get through it.
There would be lots of whispering and crying hugging between the women. The couple would stay together, but the next time your saw the father of that family you never looked at him the same way. As a child my family values taught me to not speak disrespectfully to an adult, so once again the wall of silence prevailed.
I would ask my parents why people fought each other and would be reminded that grown folks business ain’t everybody’s business, so I never received an answer. No one ever explained domestic violence to me in a way that I could make sense out of in my world.
This fact along with the violence in my own life has had a direct affect on the family values I imparted to my family. My children have been taught something different than the values I learned.
Incidents of violence have affected me throughout most of my life in all of my relationships and in how I raised my daughters but just as important in how I raised my son.
One in every four women in America are violently abused and 80t o 90% of these stay with their abuser or go back.
Domestic violence is not usually a one time occurrence it is usually a repeat incident and happens more frequently than it is reported.
Our family values can affect how we choose to deal with violence in our relationships.
This can happen to anyone, no matter what status you are in life. No one is exempt. If you are reading this and any of it applies to you, talk to someone, please get help now. If there is intimidation, control and force in your relationship, please get help now. CALL 800-799-SAFE (7299)
HIV/AIDS Among African Americans
Being exposed to HIV/AIDS was the most frightening experience of my life and I could only blame myself.
I knew the person I wanted to date was in recovery and he told me that he was exposed to HIV but showed me that his latest test status was “undetectable”.
Undetectable means that there are fewer copies of the virus in your blood than the test can measure. It does not mean that you have been cured of HIV. The virus is still in your body.
I was in denial because I wanted to believe that he was okay. I continued the relationship and used protection. When my friends tried to warn me that he was HIV positive, I told them that I knew and we were being cautious.
This was defective thinking on my part because I had convinced myself that I could not get the virus if I was always careful. We dated for about two and half years and broke up. I was wounded when he got married so soon after we split and asked him if he informed his wife that he was HIV positive. He denied that he was positive and brushed off my question like it was not my right to even ask it.
During the time we were together and even after we broke up, every six months I went back to get tested, after six years I was told by my personal doctor that I could stop getting tested because I never had a positive test result.
Three years after we broke up he passed away from complications of AIDS. I continued to get tested because I was really afraid that something was going to be wrong with me after being exposed to someone that actually died from AIDS. This was frightening and earth shattering due to the fear of the results changing at any moment to the worst possible outcome.
Honestly, I did not use protection “every” time and I can only blame myself for that defective thinking. I question not loving myself enough.
I thought I loved this man. That could not have been true because I did not even love myself enough to protect myself.
There are several challenges facing the African American community that impact the statistics for HIV prevention.
- Poverty. If we become infected with HIV, we may not know it because we do not get treatment soon enough, or get treatment at all.
- Denial. Some African Americans believe that HIV is not a concern for the African American community.
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Exposure to certain STDs creates an attitude of apathy that increases the chance of being exposed to HIV and spreading it to others.
- Drug Use. Injecting drugs is the second leading cause of HIV infection for both black women and men.
- Barriers can include the stigma of the negative attitudes, beliefs, and actions about HIV/AIDS due a lack of knowledge.
HIV/AIDS Among African Americans
Health Issues for African American Women
I’s that time of year again to make pledges and resolutions to get in shape, lose weight and make some changes. Let us be proactive this year and start now, lets work out ways to develop the tools we need to avoid stress. There are always statistics that tell us over and over that African have higher incidences of health disparities compared to other ethnic groups. We can choose to not listen because we may not want to believe the reports that African Americans have more cases of disease, disability, and early death compared to Whites but it is still an issue that we must examine. We cannot afford to dismiss the statistics, we must take an assessment of our individual health status.
Motivation is a constant struggle due to work pressures, financial concerns and the every day occurrences resulting from how we choose to live our lives. Ask yourself this question: “Do I want to be trapped in a body that I cannot control?” I know you are saying that is not my situation and that will not happen to me. I am able to walk, talk, bathe myself, feed myself and take care of myself relatively well. I have health care and I hardly get sick, so I am exempt from this question.
Or I have no health care, I exercise regularly and take supplements, I even get acupuncture treatments and watch my diet. Whatever we are doing is good, we can all take stock of ourselves on a regular basis and make improvements. If none of this applies to you, that is great, so help someone else to get motivated and get moving.
African American women experience multiple health issues because we neglect our health even when we think we are healthy. African American women are less likely to receive health care; when they do receive care, they are more likely to receive it late. Having no noticeable symptoms is not an indication of good health. Many skip breakfast and opt for something quick with coffee, juice or tea with way too much sugar.
A large number of jobs for women consist of sitting at a desk or computer all day in one spot, when we take a break we continue to sit and only walk to heat up food or take a restroom break. While we are sitting at our desk we graze and snack on what we think are empty calories that contain nothing which contributes to improving our health or giving us energy. We take smoke breaks and park as close as we can to the door so we don’t have far to walk to jump in our car. We seldom eat early and then take a walk during our lunch hour or even get up to stretch and move away from our desk.
Lack of movement can cause stiffness in the joints and calories from sugary snacks or greasy food can lead to significant weight gain especially during the holidays. Office parties are most always planned around food. Plates are piled and wrapped up to be eating later or taken home. We tend to eat more at office holidays than we can normally eat in one sitting. I am guilty of everything I have listed here and I really want to help someone to not fall victim to their own self-neglect.
I want everyone to be healthy and self sufficient, I do not want to witness anyone becoming dependent on a caregiver to take care of them I pledge to take better care of my health in every way. Here are some statistics that may broaden your understanding of the urgent status of health for African American women;
- The lead causes of death for African American women are heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.
- Heart disease is the number one killer of American women. African American women are 35% more likely than non-Hispanic white women to die from heart disease.
- Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lack of exercise, and smoking all put women at risk for heart disease. Studies have shown that African Americans don’t get the same care for heart disease as whites because they don’t get the same tests and treatments.
- Among women, about two out of three new HIV cases are African American. High rates of other STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are a problem as well.Over 25 diseases are spread through sex. Some STDs seem to affect certain groups more than others.
- African Americans have higher rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes than whites. STDs are more easily passed from men to women. And many STDs have no symptoms. If you’re having sex, get tested for STDs.
- Not having sex of any kind is the only 100% effective way to avoid getting STDs. Being in a sexual relationship with only one partner who is free of an STD and who is also faithful to you limits the chance of infections.
- African American mothers were twice as likely to have late or no prenatal care compared to white mothers in 2004. There are many possible reasons for these differences, including racism, poverty, cultural differences, lack of knowledge about the importance of screening or testing to prevent health problems, inability to get to the doctor, or lack of trust in the medical system.
- African American women are more likely than all other women to die from breast cancer. Tumors are found at a later, more advanced, stage so there are fewer treatment options. Some reasons for this may include not being able to get health care or not following-up after getting abnormal test results. Other reasons may include distrust of the health care system, the belief that mammograms are not needed, or not having insurance.
- African Americans are almost twice as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites of the same age. People with diabetes are more likely to have problems with their skin, mouth, kidneys, heart, nerves, eyes, and feet. African Americans have higher rates of at least two of diabetes’ most serious complications: amputation (such as having a toe or foot removed), and kidney failure.
- African Americans are affected by stroke more than any other group. The rate of stroke in African-American women is almost twice that of white women. African American women also have a higher risk of dying from a stroke than white women. African Americans tend to have higher rates of these risk factors for stroke: high blood pressure, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, obesity, family history of stroke, and no leisure exercise.
- High blood pressure has no symptoms. See your doctor once a year to have your blood pressure checked.
- One out of three Americans has high blood pressure. African American women of all ages develop high blood pressure more often than non-Hispanic white women. Some things increase your chances of having high blood pressure: increasing age (middle aged or older), diabetes, obesity (or being overweight), alcohol use, eating too much salt, a family history of high blood pressure, and not exercising.
Flossing before you go to bed improves your overall health.
Make some changes to your lifestyle like walking that may help prevent or control high blood pressure. You know when you are overweight, so just try to lose weight. Losing just 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure and save your life.
Keep moving by getting up and starting with stretching. Put on your favorite music and dance or just move. Walk in place, wave your arms, pick up your feet and move. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Or, walk during breaks at work. Eat right. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Choose low-fat dairy products. Eat less salt. Don’t smoke. If you smoke, try to quit.
15 ways to Reduce Stress and Maintain Good Health by Examining Family Values
The economy is headed towards a recession! The market is down, we are in a crisis. When you hear “We “, does it make you wonder, if you are part the “we” being referred to. We have heard these sound bytes and news reports everyday for most of 2008. What does this mean to you and what have your family values taught you about survival?
Former Labor Secretary, Alexis Herman during a conference call with members of the black press stated that high unemployment rates are a constant economic deterioration for the African-American community under the current administration. Consequently a job loss of over 500,000 jobs in the African-American community has most of us feeling anxiety over the current state of the economy. It does not matter who you are or what your economic status ma be, the current economic conditions are affecting everyone as the phrase goes “from Main Street”.
What we can do at this time is to practice moderation and pay attention to our health. Panic and stress can produce devastating consequences. Now is the time to pull together and empower ourselves.
Eighteen ways to survive financial stress
1. Start a Business
The resources are available to assist you with free programs and online using Pod casts and video to assist you with starting a business step by step. These times are teaching us to be more conscious of our habits and behavior. This is an opportunity to learn a great lesson. Listen to what is being said by the people who are making money. A Home Business Can Work – If It’s Done Correctly! First, you need to learn the low or no cost methods of marketing your home network marketing business on the internet. With the internet you are able to create an audience and build relationships with people who will trust you, and buy from you.
2. Change Jobs
Do your research, don’t just leave the frying pan and jump into the fire. Sharpen up your skills, look at the job descriptions and make sure you can perform the qualifications, network and be committed to going after the job you really want. If you live in an area where jobs are scarce, consider relocating.
3. Use Social Services.
Many people will not apply for food stamps, free or low-cost health insurance and heating assistance, even though they are eligible. The stress of worrying about heating cost or food outweighs any embarrassment anticipated to explore these benefits. Receiving assistance even one time can be the difference in maintaining your health and keeping a roof over your head. Access free or low-cost resources in your community by finding nearby food pantries and other emergency services.
4. Shop online
Cut down on unnecessary driving trips use public transportation, and carpool… The average price gas is around $3.24 a gallon nationwide. Make sure your car receives the maintenance necessary to keep it running. Check for low gas prices online before you travel. Trade in your expensive car for a less expensive model.
5. Recycle
Support environmental conservation and save the earth. Make it a family project to recycle. Recycling feels good and it creates less waste in general. Buy reusable grocery bags, shop at the Farmers Market and support local farmers.
A great retirement account is not security. Love is greater than money. Learn to get satisfaction from simple things. Do not define your value by the purchasing of things. Discover that having good health and your family is a greater possession that things.
6. Cook at home together.
Families do not sit down and eat at the table together. Looking into the faces of our loved ones and little ones is the barometer for the health and well-being of our family. We eat out, grab fast food and sit in from the television or eat in our car while we are driving. It is cheaper and healthier to eat food prepared at home. Cooking together can create healing in family relationships. Couples cooking together, mothers teaching children how to prepare special holiday dishes can bring families closer.
7. Use Discount Prescription Cards
Discount Prescriptions cards are free and can be applied for online. Prescription Discount cards are frequently based on the specific medication you take. Even if you have healthcare, you can still use a discount card to reduce expensive co-pays. For individuals without health coverage, discount cards can reduce out-of-pocket costs for long term medications.
8. Pull back on unnecessary spending
Have movie night at home. Attend free local events. Consider not taking that annual vacation or scaling it down to a one-tank trip. Cut back on dance lessons and group sports activities. .
9. Seek Assistance for Mortgage and Rent
When you are behind in your mortgage, contact your bank for special programs put in place due to the foreclosure crisis. The bank does not really want to take your house. If you fall behind on rent, be proactive and speak with your landlord. Many times, you can work out a payment plan before you fall farther behind and risk court eviction proceedings. If you have an eviction pending, see a lawyer so that you can know your rights.
10. Take Advantage of Tax Credits and Reducing Insurance Deductibles
Prepare for taking advantage of tax credits. If you are a low-income household, you may be entitled to both state and federal tax credits. Examine your homeowners insurance and auto insurance deductibles
Raise the deductible on your home owner’s policy will create savings. Take a close look at your car insurance, increase the deductible and ask about discounts.
11. Energy saving devices
Install a programmable thermostats this will save money by regulating the temperature for air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter.
12. Reduce your dry cleaning bill
Not everything needs to be dry cleaned and be hand washed and laid out flat to dry. Try bulk dry cleaning by the pound, you can dry clean more for less. You may have to give up hangers and use your own.
13. Share baby sitters
Make a deal with family members, switch off with siblings, you can watch your nieces and nephews and trade off with family members. Being allowed to get out and date your spouse or partner will alleviate some stress.
14. Give up the Gym Membership
It does not cost anything to walk in the park or your neighborhood. Ladies borrow a yoga or belly-dance tape from the library. For guys, play basketball, ride your bike. We can survive without the gym. Get the whole family involved.
15. Do Something for Others
Get out and assist others that need help. Helping someone with a yard sale or having a community yard sale. Get everyone on your block to participate.
Volunteer to take someone to the polls when it time to vote. We can all be kinder and gentler to each other. If you cannot early vote to avoid the long lines that will exist due the increase in voter registration, plan to go early before you go to work.
Try working to live not living to work! Don’t make your job and making money the reason you get up every day. Create new definitions of value in your life. Teach your children saving and budgeting. Create a strategy with your spouse or partner to save for a common goal or ways to cut back together. Give up your daily five dollar latte for more time with your sweetie by creating reward coupons when you give up something to save money. Foster a sense of cooperation and less anxiety, extended periods of anxiety can lead to depression. The economic crisis may prove to not be a crisis after all if we re-evaluate our choices.
