Beginning Monday February 25, a three week class will be held through the Evening at Emory program, entitled Smart Couples Financial Workshop. The workshop will be co-led by Linda Kuryloski, a financial advisor, Rebecca Godbey, an estate attorney and myself. I will be teaching the first class on couples' communications about money. Linda will teach the second class and will be working with couples on investing decisions. Finally Rebecca will wrap up with a lot of information that couples can use to complete their new Georgia Health care directives forms and to make decisions about their wills and estates.
This class is a very positive way for couples to begin to make changes in the money relationships they have developed and to accomplish some money tasks that are often difficult. This is an opportunity to complete some important financial tasks that are often avoided. The structure of the workshop makes it much easier to accomplish these. Learning how to talk respectfully and productively about money, beginning or expanding an investment program and completing health care directives are three major accomplishments in a three week period. Sign up and feel good about how you are addressing these issues. If you miss this winter's classes, be sure to look for us in the future Evening at Emory catalogs.

On March 29th The American Psychological Association will sponsor a Mind/Body health fair at Perimeter Mall in Atlanta. This is an effort to show the public what psychology is and how it can help with the stresses and strains of everyday life. There will be numerous presentations throughout the day with a wide range of useful topics. Some of the areas we will cover are using exercise to manage stress and how to make it fun and motivating; cooking healthy foods and healthy eating patterns; managing stress with meditation and attitudes, and working with different kinds of stress ( relationship, financial,etc.). Many people do not understand what a broad range of research and training the field of psychology encompasses but it has to do with understanding all aspects of human behavior. Currently most psychologists are experts in learning how to manage behaviors, thoughts and emotions through a wide range of techniques.
Stress is particularly hard on the human body and over time will takes its toll on a person's health. Physical illness, drug and alcohol use, and a general feeling of fatigue and exhaustion are often related to excess secretions of stress hormones in the body. Effective stress management can come about through many paths: meditation, breathing, relaxation, visualization, recreation, exercise, assertiveness,venting and more effective interpersonal relationships are all useful tools to employ at stressful times. Consulting with an experienced psychologist and getting support and feedback about what the most effective methods are for your particular stress is alos a helpful option. Please come to the fair and take advantage of this program that is free to the public.