Survey: Economy makes Atlanta a hotbed of stress

The economic meltdown stresses Americans everywhere. But a new survey suggests the strain could be even more acute in Atlanta.

Money is a significant source of stress for 8 in 10 Atlantans, compared to 7 in 10 nationally, according to the results of an annual survey by the American Psychological Association released Tuesday. The survey involved 2,034 adults, including 243 adults living in Atlanta.

AP

Money is a significant source of stress for 8 in 10 Atlantans, compared to 7 in 10 nationally.

• Blog Are you stressing over the economy?

TIPS FOR MANAGING STRESS

• Atlanta-based stress expert Kathleen Hall's advice for people obsessively worrying about the economy? Try to get control over the situation.
• "Hold family meetings twice a week, get creative and rent out a room or wash windows, can fruits for Christmas gifts, and get outside and play with your kids," she suggests. "And remember, you are creating family memories. Don't make this all doom and gloom for your kids."

More tips from Hall...

• Do visualization, take deep breaths: Close your eyes for five minutes and repeat a positive affirmation, such as "hope" or "I am strong."
• Eat well: Avoid junk food and opt for foods rich in vitamin B, such as bananas, avocados, whole grains and leafy greens. Turkey, peanuts and milk are good, stress-reducing pick-me-up snacks.
• Exercise: Don't underestimate the benefits of a 10-minute-walk or a few chair exercises.
• Watch your temper: Monitor your mood to avoid outbursts. Reach out to friends and family members who may be on edge.

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Atlantans were also more likely to point to relationships and housing costs as a source of stress compared to the national survey results.

The survey was conducted between June and August — a timeframe that likely captured angst surrounding the real estate downturn but before the government stepped in with a $700 billion bailout to rescue collapsing financial institutions.

“It’s hard to imagine the stress levels would not be worse today,” says J. Kip Matthews, a psychologist in Athens.

So what makes Atlanta a hotbed of stress?

Thomas Boston, economics professor at Georgia Tech, points to the high foreclosure rates and notoriously long commutes. Driving in traffic can be nerve-racking but add soaring gas prices — and the most recent gas crunch – and you’ve got a bastion of anxiety.

“When you see people getting in fights at the gas pumps at the tiniest things, you know people are totally on edge,” says Kathleen Hall, an Atlanta-based stress expert and founder of the Stress Institute.

Roger Tutterow, professor of economics at Mercer University, is not so sure the level of anxiety in Atlanta is that much greater than in other parts of the country.

Still, he believes the younger demographic of Atlanta could skew the results. First-time homeowners might be more jittery than an older homeowner having weathered a housing downturn in the past.

Adds Boston: “Thousands of young professionals have migrated to Atlanta in search of the city’s lure of opportunity. … A large segment of Atlanta’s population is stressed out because their income and wealth can no longer keep pace with their debt and lifestyle expectations.”

HOW ATLANTA COMPARES

Sources of stress

The percentage of local and national participants who said the following is a source of significant stress, according to an American Psychological Association survey released Tuesday:

Housing costs

Atlanta: 56 percent

National: 47 percent

Relationships

Atlanta: 68 percent

National: 59 percent

Personal safety

Atlanta: 42 percent

National: 31 percent

Managing stress

The percentage of those surveyed who said they do the following to ease stress:

Play sports

Atlanta: 18 percent

National: 9 percent

Pray

Atlanta: 45 percent

National: 37 percent

Get a massage

Atlanta: 15

National : 9