Our survey finds that 1 in 3 moms are turning to vices like overeating, drinking, drugs and gambling to cope.
During times of hardship and financial crisis, moms have historically been the ones keeping the family together. But what happens when mom reaches her breaking point? Momlogic.com surveyed moms -- and learned the situation is dire.
Our survey results reveal that:• 1 in 3 moms are turning to vices like overeating, drinking, drugs, and gambling to cope
• 64% of moms feel intensely negative emotions
• 50% of moms are less satisfied with their lives now than before the economic downturn
• Of moms with partners who have lost their jobs, 80% feel overwhelmed and nearly 50% say they spend more time fighting and less time having sex
• 1 in 4 moms are having less sex
• 27% of moms 25-34 want more children but are holding off because of the recession
Psychotherapist and mom of two Jill Spivack offers the following coping strategies:
Remember: You are not alone. No matter how isolated you feel, you are not the only one going through this. Hundreds of thousands of women are in the same boat you are, and they can provide invaluable emotional support.
Let loved ones lighten your load. Rather than turning to vices, turn to your spouse, parents and friends who can support you and help you release your tension. This is an opportunity to bond with neighbors, family, and friends, and lean on each other for help.
Increase physical activity. In this recession, moms are more stressed and anxious than ever. Exercise, sports, deep breathing, meditation and yoga are all proven to relieve stress. Even if you can get in fifteen minutes of exercise or meditation after the kids go to bed, that will help decrease your anxiety.
Try to maintain a positive attitude. Acknowledge that economic downturns can be frightening to everyone, but the economy will turn around. You need to stay as positive as you can for your family. Make a list of the things you feel are blessings in your life (healthy children, a beautiful environment, a loving relationship with your spouse, etc.) and post them up where you can review them daily.
If you are having feelings that you want to hurt yourself or kill yourself, including having a plan, acting recklessly, seeing no reason to live (extreme hopelessness) -- call someone immediately! The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.
Still struggling? See your family doctor or mental health practitioner, or visit a community health clinic, local hospital, or mental health facility. You can also gain support by talking to a spiritual leader, school counselor, or joining an online support group.
Increase physical activity. In this recession, moms are more stressed and anxious than ever. Exercise, sports, deep breathing, meditation and yoga are all proven to relieve stress. Even if you can get in fifteen minutes of exercise or meditation after the kids go to bed, that will help decrease your anxiety.
Try to maintain a positive attitude. Acknowledge that economic downturns can be frightening to everyone, but the economy will turn around. You need to stay as positive as you can for your family. Make a list of the things you feel are blessings in your life (healthy children, a beautiful environment, a loving relationship with your spouse, etc.) and post them up where you can review them daily.
If you are having feelings that you want to hurt yourself or kill yourself, including having a plan, acting recklessly, seeing no reason to live (extreme hopelessness) -- call someone immediately! The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.
Still struggling? See your family doctor or mental health practitioner, or visit a community health clinic, local hospital, or mental health facility. You can also gain support by talking to a spiritual leader, school counselor, or joining an online support group.
Click below to protect your marriage and kids in this recession:
Click here to see Jill Spivack's appearance on "Today" discussing momlogic's recession survival guide.
Come back tomorrow for our Momlogic Recession Survival Guide, full of inventive strategies to empower you to not only survive but thrive. We'll share how to get FREE BABYSITTING, FREE CLOTHES ... even FREE SUMMER CAMP!How are you dealing with the recession? Share your tips with other moms in the Recession Survivors group in the momlogic community.
See Also:
• Recession Survival Guide: Your Marriage
• Recession Survival Guide: Your Kids
• Recession Survival Guide: Your Quality of Life
• Recession Survival Guide: If Your Husband Lost His Job
 | Jill Spivack, MSW, author of "The Sleepeasy Solution" and co-founder of Sleepy Planet Inc., is a psychotherapist and mother of two. |
See Also:
• Recession Survival Guide: Your Marriage
• Recession Survival Guide: Your Kids
• Recession Survival Guide: Your Quality of Life
• Recession Survival Guide: If Your Husband Lost His Job
filed under: recession survival guide
Email4 comments so far | Post a comment now >>
Trying to buy our first home after many years being married with 3 children. Overwhelming to say the least. Mortgage too high. Turned to alcohol when we had to move from our rented house. Alcohol calms me and puts a little smile on my face. Sometimes laugh too much. But I don’t want to rely on that and am against anti-depressents.
- STRESSED
Ha, abbi! Years (ok, decades ago) I liked the high before dinner. Tried it a year or so ago, HATED IT! Paranoia! Thank God the recession seems to be helping the business my husband works for but that can change in a hot minute. I want a couple of glasses of wine after I get the kids to bed and after my husband turns in. He drives 90 minutes twice a day for work,so he settles into bed before I do. By the time I’ve taken care of evening duties, I’m quite awake. I find it odd that I would turn to wine to make me drowsy instead of the Ambien I’m prescribed, but by the time I have time to let an Ambien start working, I don’t have 8 hours left to sleep. I do find that an hour after lunch to relax, read, nap for no longer than 30 minutes (longer makes me feel more tired) really improves my mood for the afternoon/early evening. I look forward to picking up my girls from school and to my husband coming home.
- ame i.
I think there is another solution that many doctors and bloggers may not suggest, God. I’m not pushing Him on anyone, but it is something to consider. I have drawn closer to Him during this extremely difficult year, and at one point I thought my marriage was over, my children were not getting the attention they need, my job was horrible and my husband was unemployed. I now have a good job where I am paid fairly, my husband (after finding employment, then being laid off…twice) is now a SAHD. Our marriage is getting better all the time and I was able to quit a second job to spend more time with my kids. The one consistent thing throughout this incredibly tough year was God. I sought Him daily, put him first, tithed what little I could and prayed heartily all the time. I am not saying your problems will go away. I am saying He will see you through, comfort you, and heal your broken-heart. He has done this and more for us. Take it from someone who always when to alcohol first as a coping mechanism! You just end up digging a deeper hole, rather than pulling yourself out of one!
- rugbymom
gTuWvA comment4 ,
- Yzkaddtz
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