Need 2 Know: Coping with Stress

DAYTON, OH (WDTN) - With Ohio's unemployment rate at 10.4 percent, it's one of the highest in the nation. Add the stress of the holidays to these tough times and some people can hit their breaking point. Here's what you need to know to cope so you can enjoy the season.

Signs of the holiday season are everywhere and so are signs of a tough economy, from foreclosures to unemployment. The combination can make home life difficult for parents and kids alike. Pediatric Psychologist Zach Woessner of Dayton Children's Medical Center says the first step is honesty. "I think the most important thing to do is just be honest with your kids and things and how you're going to handle the stress. Such as celebrations and buying presents. "And maybe what maybe you can afford and what can't afford and take it as an opportunity to teach a little about budgets and maybe even a little bit about what a need is and what a want is."

With friends seeing friends struggling Woessner says try reaching out those who may have even more needs than you.
And watch your kids for signs their stress is building. "I think the school is a good place to get a sense of how kids are doing. If the teacher's noticing some things, maybe if they're not as talkative, maybe they're quiet. Maybe they're not wanting to be around friends and maybe they're withdrawing, those sorts of things." Dr. Woessner says unless there are long term growing signs of stress in your child medical intervention isn't needed. He suggests keeping structure and routine and stay active, eat well, and communicate often.