Study: Atlanta residents’ stress levels unhealthy

Living in metro Atlanta is stressful a new study shows. People are so stressed the levels are considered unhealthy, according to the study. Key factors? Work and job stability.

The survey released by the American Psychological Association (APA) and conducted online by Harris Interactive shows Atlanta urvey participants reported an average stress level of 5.3 on a 10-point scale.

The level considered healthy is 3.7 on a 10-point scale.

More than three out of four Atlanta residents (77 percent) report that work is a significant cause of stress—the highest level since APA began reporting in 2008.

That rate compares with 70 percent in 2010; 61 percent in 2009; and 74 percent in 2008.

Almost six out of 10 (57 percent) Atlanta residents report that job stability is a source of stress.

Fifty-six percent of Atlantans feel that they do an excellent or very good job of knowing when they are feeling stressed.

However, fewer report that they are able to manage or reduce stress once they experience it (33 percent).

To manage their stress, Atlantans report listening to music, exercising and walking, which is comparable to adults nationwide.

Atlantans are more likely than those across the nation to report that they have tried to exercise more (84 percent vs. 75 percent) and get more sleep (68 percent vs. 58 percent) in the past five years.

Lack of willpower remains the No. 1 barrier to change for Atlanta residents, who decided to or were recommended to make a lifestyle or behavior change.

Three out of 10 adults (30 percent) continue to cite this as a key barrier.

“While overall stress levels in Atlanta are lower than last year, the numbers of Atlanta residents who are stressed about work is alarming,” said Atlanta-area psychologist Dr. Angela Londono-McConnell, the public education coordinator for the Georgia Psychological Association. “Although stress levels are lower than in previous years, they are still higher than what is considered healthy.  It’s important people pay attention to this because stress can affect your physical and emotional health, especially if not managed properly.”

Dr. Cornelius Flowers, an Emory Medical Center cardiologist, agrees that stress can be detrimental, pointing out that Americans report more cases of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Said Flowers: “We have all of these health problems because we eat too much and we don’t exercise enough. You’re supposed to exercise every day for at least 30 minutes. Atlanta is a city that relies on driving. Everybody drives everywhere and then they sit in traffic and blow their horns. In New York City, people take the train and walk.

Flowers said he takes advantage of walking at Arabia Mountain Nature preserve in DeKalb County where he lives.

“We need more pedestrian-friendly places to walk throughout metro Atlanta. But in the meantime, we can park our cars father away and walk the extra steps to the office. We can take the stairs instead of the elevator. We can go shopping at the mall—even if we don’t have any money. It’s called window shopping.”

Flowers also recommends taking lunch breaks, rather than sitting at the desk eating.

“Get up and go outside and see some different scenery,” Flowers said.

To read the full report on Atlanta and the United States, visit www.stressinamerica.org.

Health Calendar

Rockdale Medical welcomes all to blood drive

Rockdale Medical Center will host a community-wide blood drive on Feb. 21, 10 a.m. – 3p.m., at the hospital’s East Tower Classrooms, 1412 Milstead Ave., Conyers.

The American Red Cross supplies blood and blood products to the patients in the Rockdale community. Participants are asked to share the “gift of life” and be a volunteer blood donor at Rockdale Medical Center’s Blood Drive.

Blood donors can watch movies or vintage television shows while giving blood, much on cookies, crackers and other snacks, in addition to being entered into drawings for prizes from the American Red Cross.

For more information or to register, visit www.givelife.org and enter the sponsor code “rockmed.” To contact the American Red Cross, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543).

Gwinnett Medical hosts ‘Aging and Your Eyes’

Gwinnett Medical Center will present “Aging and Your Eyes” on Feb. 21, 12 p.m. at the GMC Women’s Pavilion Room, 550 Medical Center Blvd., Lawrenceville.

Attendees are invited to join GMC professionals and physicians for an informative discussion to learn more about eye disorders such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Davis Scott Carlin, MD, will lead the presentation.

For more information or to register, visit www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org or call 678-312-1000.

DeKalb Medical hosts seated dance exercising

DeKalb Medical will host a seated dance exercising class on Feb. 25, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Attendees are given the opportunity to learn to exercise their body, while remaining seated. Parts of the body may be weakened, injured or challenged, but organizers say you will enjoy this fun class as you exercise your body and limbs that can move. Belly Dance moves are incorporated into this class.

The cost to attend is $15. For more information or to register, visit www.dekalbmedical.org or call 404-501-WELL.

Piedmont offers couple support group for cancer patients

Piedmont Healthcare’s Cancer Wellness Center, 1800 Howell Mill Road, Suite 700, Atlanta, will offer the Couples Enrichment and Support Group on Feb. 28, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Having cancer can be isolating. Participants are invited to come share with your partner and meet other couples on the cancer journey. Patients will have the opportunity to deepen your bond and connection within your relationship and the Cancer Wellness community.

Participants are invited to come out, have fun and feel the support of a caring group. Cindy Stark Reid, LPC, LMT and Dennis Buttimer, M.Ed., RYT will facilitate the support group. A light dinner will be provided in the Wellness Café at 6:30 p.m. 404-425-7925.

Emory: Diabetes and foot care

Emory Healthcare, 1525 Clifton Road, Atlanta, will host a discussion, “How Should I Take Care of My Feet?” on Feb. 24, 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

The class is a part of Emory’s HeartWise Risk Reduction program lecture series, which aims to reduce people’s risk of heart disease and diabetes through education and interaction. In addition to serving patients who currently suffer from these conditions, Emory also provides help to individuals who could be at risk for heart complications and diabetes in the future including those who smoke, do not exercise or have high blood pressure.

Admission is free. For more information or to register, visit www.emoryhealthcare.org or call 404-778-7777 or 1-800-75-EMORY

On Common Ground News is an independent African-American owned community resource newspaper serving residents and businesses in DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Rockdale, and Henry counties.

These are the areas we focus our efforts in reporting on. DeKalb county areas consist of Stone Mountain, Lithonia, Tucker, Clarkston, Stonecrest, Decatur, Avondale, Estates, Eastlake, and Pinelake. Gwinnett county areas consist of Lawrenceville, Snellville, and Buford. Henry county areas consist of Ellenwood and Stockbridge. Fulton county areas consist of Atlanta, College Park, and East Point. Rockdale county area consist of Conyers.

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