Hard Economic Times = Healthier You or Less Healthy You?

[Mike 03]

Poll question: Hard Economic Times = Healthier You or Less Healthy You?

Over the past two months I have listened to debates between those who believe these hard economic times will make us stronger and those who feel they will weaken us and break our spirits.

I'm not ashamed to say that these times, although they have not weakened me, have broken the spirits of people close to me, and that is breaking my heart and spirit too.

But I'm trying desperately to hang on.

Are you coping with the stress of these recent times, and has the pain or suffering of those close to you had an impact on you, and if so, how are you coping with that?

[Muttocracy]

1. I've had chronic financial stress for a long time

with a couple of bouts of unemployment. Doing OK now except I'm still digging myself out of the old hole. Things shouldn't feel so bad now, but I'm exhausted.

[begin_within]

2. Hopefully it's forcing people to become less materialistic,

and less interested in the endless quest for more "stuff," and more interested in developing and nurturing relationships with other people rather than with objects.

[Merlot]

5. I'm afraid that most of the people hit hardest were already poor

or borderline just getting by. A splurge might have ment fast food.

I think it's been a myth for a long time that we're just to materialistic. Kind of a blame the victim mentality.

It helps people from not dealing with the real poverty right here in America

[Warpy]

3. Hard times are unhealthy. There's no other way to put it.

Hard times mean no dental care and bad teeth can kill. Hard times mean skipping vaccines and avoiding the doctor, which can kill. Hard times mean skipping meals and eating poor quality food, which can make you more susceptible to illness. Hard times mean being homeless or heatless, which can make you more susceptible to illness.

Anybody who thinks they're gonna suddenly get healthy by being poor has never been poor.

[emilyg]

6. Agree 100%.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

4. I don't know if I'm getting stronger or just more stubborn.