Could we please use a different word–one besides ‘stress’–when we talk about what causes health problems?

September 21, 2010

Today is my daughter-in-law’s birthday. I thought about her this morning as  Dr. Oz talked about the health of skin for women in their 30s, their 40s, and their 50s…  For women in their 30s, like my daughter-in-law, the guest dermatologist noted that ‘stress’ is a big contributor to skin problems. Sigh. From the vantage of late 50s, I wish that we might use other words to communicate about health conditions and changes. What if instead of saying with stern expression and furrowed brow,  “When we don’t get enough sleep because our toddler doesn’t sleep eight hours or our elementary age child wakes up sick and keeps up in the night, it causes us stress,” we said with a chuckle, “I have a much greater appreciation for my parents now that I’m learning to catch a few hours of sleep here and 20 minutes there. I understand now why ‘sleep’ could make the top five list for ‘things  I want to do on my vacation.'” Sometimes, it is all in the framing.

We talk about loss versus gain frames in communicating about health. Loss frames emphasize the costs associated with developing new health habits, while gain frames emphasize the benefits associated with developing new health habits. Stress is all about losses and costs. Life is all about gains and benefits. So, yes, even though the dermatologist also cautioned that alcohol causes premature aging of the  skin, I hope my daughter-in-law is celebrating her life today, and perhaps even toasting the year ahead….

Author: Roxanne

I have always loved to learn. After years of trying to pick a major as an undergraduate, I met a professor who guided me to graduate school. And from graduate school, I learned that I could always go to school and keep on learning. And so I have... View all posts by Roxanne