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Stress Of Economic Crisis Taking Its Toll

Many Head To Doctors, Spas For Relief

CHICAGO (CBS) ― If you're feeling a little more depressed than normal, or sad and not sure why, the stock market could be to blame.

CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports more patients are asking doctors for help as the downturn on Wall Street takes its toll.

"The economy this time, is making me feel really stressed out," one person CBS 2 talked with said, summing up what many are feeling these days.

Doctors say the financial crunch has many seeking help.

"When you have a stressor like the economy that you don't personally have any impact on, it can make you personally feel more concerned," said Dr. Sheila Dugan of Rush University Medical Center.

Dr. Dugan says there are warning signs to look for before your stress level gets too high.

"They may notice little changes in their body and feel more concern, like 'oooh, I have a pain in my neck,'" she said. "And before, maybe that was in the background, and never really brought them to think, 'oooh, there could be something wrong.'"

Dr. Dugan says it's times like these when people really need to listen to the connection between their mind and body.

That's exactly what people are doing at Spa Space.

"I think it's a necessity, because it's a stress reliever," said spa client Patricia Roberts. "We're here with our entire hr team."

Spa space director Nicole Villagomez says regular clients are cutting back, but new clients are on the rise.

"People just need to get away from their office, get away from everything that they're dealing with, even if it's for 30 minutes," Villagomez said.

And that's what an entire human resources team was doing, 30 minute massages, before heading back to work.

It's Spa Week nationwide, starting Sunday. Specials will be offered at spas throughout Chicago.

But if you're really cutting back, one of the best ways to reduce stress is just to take a simple walk to collect your thoughts.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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