• Pause but don’t panic. Its fine to pay attention to what’s happening to the state of the economy, but refrain from getting caught up in it, which can lead to high levels of anxiety and bad decision making.
• Identify your financial stressors and make a plan. Take stock of your finances and identify specific ways you can reduce expenses. Then commit to a plan and review it regularly. If you are having trouble paying bills, reach out for help by calling your bank, utilities or credit card company.
• Recognize how you deal with stress related to money. Many people relieve stress by turning to unhealthy activities like smoking, drinking, gambling or emotional eating. Stress can also lead to more conflict and arguments between partners. Be alert to these behaviors and if they are causing you trouble, consider getting help from a behavioral health provider.
  
• Turn these challenging times into opportunities for real growth and change. Times like these, offer the opportunity to take stock and identify healthy and inexpensive ways to deal with stress. Try taking a walk. Having dinner at home with your family may not only save you money, but help bring you closer together.
  
• Ask for professional support. Credit counseling services and financial planners are available to help you take control over your money situation.

did you know?

Did you know that our capacity for sexual intimacy will likely be with us our entire lives? The real differences that exist lie in the way sexuality is expressed. A study done by the National Institute of Health last year found that many people are sexually intimate well into their 80s and beyond, with expressions of sexuality becoming more refined, more evolved.

While it is a fallacy to assume that as we age we lose our desire for sexual intimacy, it is true that some natural changes in the body may affect how we experience sex. Sexual changes in both men and women are natural. These changes may require a new outlook on sex and the way it is practiced.

Most importantly, don’t hesitate to talk to your physician. Any potential discomfort in talking about the issue is well worth the advice your doctor can provide. Knowing the facts about how the body changes is the first step in maintaining sexual health.