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According to Brent W. Bost, M.D., 30 million American women are likely suffering from “Hurry-up Sickness.”   It comes from constantly living in “overdrive” and attempting to get more and more things done.   Dr. Bost has found that women who live this way are more prone to tiredness, moodiness, weight gain and even low libido.  He documents his research in his book, “The Hurried Woman Syndrome.”

It seems that all of us (both men and women) are living life “in the fast lane.”  The pace of life in America is definitely speeding up, as the following statistics demonstrate:

1.)  The average work-week has increased to 47 hours.  It was only 34 hours two decades ago.

2.)  Most Americans sleep 90 minutes less per night than their great-grandparents did.

3.)  Many families do not feel that they have as much time to prepare home-cooked meals.  Children consumed 300% more “fast food” in 1996 than in 1977.  Also, 1/3 fewer families report that they regularly eating together compared to surveys conducted three decades ago.

 How about you?  Do you feel that your life is moving “faster and faster?”  Do you have any of the symptoms of “Hurry-up Sickness?”  Share your thoughts by clicking on the “comment” button below.  Thanks!

Del Hickson

When you’re under stress, it is natural to want relief-the quicker the better.  However, it can be tempting to choose unhealthy ways to get relief such as binge eating, alcohol consumption or angry outbursts .  When I’m under stress, I’m tempted to eat “junk food” such as potato chips and candy bars.  It does help for a moment, but then I feel worse when my “sugar high” is over.   According to a poll conducted by Harris Interactive in 2002, 46% of Americans are less careful about what they eat when stressed.   

In the last three years I have come up with numerous healthy ways to reduce my stress.  One method I discovered completly by accident.  Two years ago, My family came home with a puppy that someone had given to them at a carwash.   He is a very cute Chihuahua and Jack Russell Terrier mix.  We named him “Buddy” and he quickly proved to be a loyal, loving pet.  In the last two years he has often made us laugh with his antics.   I had not owned a dog since I was a child, and I had forgotten how much fun they were.

I noticed that petting and playing with Buddy quickly got me into a good mood-even while battling stress due to an important deadline.  I assumed that my mood change was unique to me because I am such a “dog lover.”  However, I recently read about a facinating study conducted at the University of Missouri-Columbia.  Researchers found that people’s levels of serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin-three important hormones that combat negative moods-surge after just 15 minutres of nuzzling a favorite animal.  These findings were also supported by a different study conducted by the UCLA Medical Center.  Scientists at this prestigious medical center found that anxiety levels dropped 24% within twelve minutes of stroking a pet!

Now it is your turn.  What healthy ways have you discovered to reduce your stress?  Please click on the little grey box below and leave a comment.  Thanks!

Del Hickson

Unless you are living in a monestary, you probably deal with stress on a daily (or at least weekly) basis.  A recent Time/CNN poll revealed that 66% of Americans would like to slow down and live a more relaxed lifestyle.  40% of Americans describe themselves as “always rushed.”  The pace of life in the Western world is definately “speeding up.”  What is your greatest source of stress?  For some people (like myself) deadlines at work would be their #1 source of stress.  Some of my “deadline stress” is caused by my own procrastination and/or poor planning.  For others, they are “working smart” but dealing with unreasonable workloads.  Others are stressed-out by difficult bosses or toxic coworkers.

Nearly three out of five employees say they’re worse off financially this year, according to an August 2007 survey by ComPsych.  For these people trying to “pay their bills” is their #1 source of stress.  According to a 9/4/07 article in USAToday.com,  ”Money woes can take a severe toll on employees.  Financial stress is probably the #1 stress that gets people to fail.”  Arkadi Kuhlmann, CEO of online bank ING Direct also stated “People are preoccupied and not being as productive.

For some people, raising children is their #1 source of stress.  I really enjoy being a father to my two children.  Helping them with their homework, making lunches in the morning and driving them to various activities can be stressful on occasion-especially when I lose track of time and I’m running late for an appointment.

Now it is your turn.  What is your greatest source of stress and Why?  (To leave a comment, click on the little grey area below that says, “comments.”)  Thanks!

 Del Hickson