{"id":4452,"date":"2012-05-01T09:34:00","date_gmt":"2012-05-01T09:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.metrokids.com\/index.php\/2012\/05\/01\/4-family-stress-busters\/"},"modified":"2012-05-01T09:34:00","modified_gmt":"2012-05-01T09:34:00","slug":"4-family-stress-busters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.metrokids.com\/4-family-stress-busters\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Family Stress Busters"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\tThe typical American family is stressed. U.S. adults report a stress level that averages 5.2 on a 10-point scale. A level below 4.0 is considered to be healthy, according to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2011 Stress in America survey. <\/p>\n
\n\tSignificant sources of stress include money (75%), work (70%), the economy (67%), relationships (58%), family responsibilities (57%), health problems (53%), job stability (49%), housing costs (49%) and personal safety (32%).<\/p>\n
\n\tStress plays out in family interactions, says Rhonda Byrd, PhD, clinical psychologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Being annoyed, avoiding each other, screaming and interactions that escalate all indicate that something is going wrong in the family system,” she says.<\/p>\n
\n\tIn more severe cases, emotional distress can result in physical reactions such as stomach aches, headaches or acne. "It can be hard to tease apart. Someone may go through a lot of exams and tests trying to see if something is physically wrong," says Dr. Byrd. In the end, stress could be the culprit.<\/p>\n
\n\tTo guide your family down a more peaceful path, consider trying one or more of these suggestions.<\/p>\n
\n\t1. Take Stock. <\/span><\/span>Examine choices that family members are making. “Decide if there is something that can be let go, like an extra club, activity or a trip that might take a great deal of planning,” says Dr. Carl Chenkin, PhD, New Castle County clinical director for Delaware Guidance Services.<\/p>\n