Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for Sept. 8, 2003

Why so glum?

War. A whacked-out economy. Unemployment woes. With all this and more going on, who isn't feeling at least a little stressed out these days? If it's any consolation, you're not the only one in the country ripping out your hair, nibbling your nails and tossing and turning all night.

Apparently 36 percent of Americans consider stress in their lives a problem this according to the results of the first annual Sedona Stress and Serenity Survey, sponsored by Sedona Training Associates, an "educational training organization" that promotes methods for the personal discovery of "health, happiness and success." It is situated in where else? Sedona, Ariz., the purported "spiritual center of the Native American southwest."

The survey results were gathered through random telephone calls to more than 1,000 people. They coincide with the recent release of a book, authored by STA president Hale Dwoskin, titled, "The Sedona Method: Your Key to Lasting Happiness, Success, Peace and Emotional Well-Being" (Sedona Press). Some of the findings are upsetting, to say the least:

What to do about such gloomy, doomy attitudes? The STA gurus say 42 percent of Americans need a "mental cleaning," similar to a spring-cleaning ritual. Minds most desperate for a good dusting, according to the survey, can be found in New York and Texas, followed by California and Florida.

Crippling concerns

The woes weighing most heavily on the minds of millions are finances and the deaths of loved ones, at least according to the results of yet another stress survey, this one brought to you by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.

The nonprofit group, headquartered in Silver Spring, Md., polled exactly 1,006 U.S. residents earlier this year to learn what worries most folks. While the bulk of respondents reported being anxious about the state of their finances (36 percent) and the potential passing of those near and dear to them (31 percent), only 10 percent said they give a hoot about the prospect of their own demise. It's not clear what's bumming out the remaining 13 percent of the population.

In any case, women, the association learned, worry more than men; nearly twice as many gals (25 percent) as guys (13 percent) said their sense of dread lasts a week or longer.

When that sinking feeling sets in, 49 percent of Americans reported avoiding people, while 41 percent don't answer their phones (we're guessing the other 10 percent were too stressed out to answer). Finally, one out of every seven people have been so nervous they've opted not to leave the confines of home.

It's in the bag

Still, barricading oneself indoors won't do to mend the bundle of nerves that often churns away in worrywarts' tummies. Should Nervous Nellies decide to venture outside, let's hope they take a barf bag with them.

But not just any old barf bag: One of those plain, white dealies stolen from the back of an airplane seat just won't do in these uncertain and fashion-forward times. The National Barf Bag, designed by Barfco International Inc. of Brooklyn, N.Y., is adorned with colorful, patriotic-inspired artwork that fittingly highlights "pivotal events leading to the implosion" of our nation's economy.

OK, so they're meant to be used as gag-gift bags. But in case the need to hurl arises, the sacks are double-sealed and laminated to keep well, you know what in its proper place.

A package of five National Barf Bags costs $9.95 and is available at barfco.com.

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