OCR Text |
Show Page 4 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume II, Issue XVI 15 August 2000 Coping With Market Volatility? Try a Long-Term Approach Contributed by Jennifer Housley Big up and down moves in the stock market understandably make many investors wary and uncertain. What should you do in such volatile times? Take a Long-Term View First, put market volatility in perspective. Swings in the stock market over a few months or even a few years should not affect a long-term investment strategy. Historically, investing over the long term has tended to smooth out the bumpy rides that have occurred over the shorter periods of time. It has often been said that two emotions, fear and greed, are what determine much of the trading in the market. When stocks rise in a bull market, many investors may develop a false sense of security that nothing can stop this continued upward trend. They mistakenly believe that large gains made over a short period of time can be projected into the future indefinitely. The “flip side” of false optimism is the disappointment that may set in when the market drops sharply in one day. In a bear market, many investors may panic as they imagine their nest eggs vanishing before their eyes. Some may even sell when the market has gone down on the fear that it could go even lower. In either of these cases, it’s important to keep your long-term perspective in mind. Stay Focused on Your Objectives A steady course, somewhere between the extremes of bull market euphoria and bear market despair is the approach that long-term investors take toward investment, always keeping their future financial objectives in mind. As a long-term investor, don’t let yourself get caught up in predictions of what will happen tomorrow or next month. Even stock market professionals cannot always accurately predict the future of the market. In addition, be sure you understand what reports in the newspapers and on television mean before reacting to them. Your financial advisor can provide insight and play a valuable role in helping you maintain your focus on your overall investment strategy The key to keeping short-term volatility in perspective is to review your overall asset allocation strategy periodically, including your long-term savings goals. A proper asset allocation strategy, which takes into account your time horizon and risk tolerance, should factor in periods of market volatility. Bear markets and bull markets are part of the overall history of the markets. If you have a plan in place and learn to expect both kinds of markets, you can take the good and the bad in stride and know that you are indeed an investor for the long term. Note: Jennifer Housley is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. For more information contact Jennifer in Salt Lake City, 800-7339036 ext. 1980. This article does not constitute tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisors before making any tax-related or legally related investment decisions. This article is published for general informational purposes and is not an offer or solicitation to sell or buy any securities or commodities. Any particular investment should be analyzed based on its terms and risks as they relate to your circumstances and objectives. School’s In! Beware of Backpack Injury By Dr. Lewis Harper Does your child complain of shoulder, neck or low back pain? Does your child experience muscle spasms throughout the neck, mid back and low back? Has your child been experiencing tingling in their arms and hands with associated weakness? If any of this sounds familiar, your child may be suffering from a new syndrome associated with backpacks. Children’s backpack syndrome is a condition that is caused by abnormal stresses placed upon the spines of children throughout the world from backpacks being too heavy or carried the wrong way. The most common scenario consists of children and their parents often stacking books and other heavy items at the bottom of the backpack, then placing lunches and more delicate items on top. The child then slings the whole thing over their shoulder by one thin strap and heads out the door. Dr. Wayne Yankus of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on School Health has stated, “This uneven and heavy load can distort your child’s posture, causing muscle strain, fatigue and eventually creates a posture that promotes low back pain. A lot kids don’t suffer it immediately, but over the long run they might.” The Consumer Products Safety Commission estimated that more than 3,300 children between the ages of 5 and 14 were treated in emergency rooms last year for injuries related to backpacks and book bags. A majority of these injuries could have been prevented if steps were taken to educate children and their parents about the abnormal stresses placed upon the child’s spine. Here are some ways you can help your child prevent injuries from occurring due to their backpacks. 1. Purchase a backpack that is designed for your child’s needs. Most backpacks that are geared toward school use are made of lightweight nylon for carrying lightweight loads. An alternative is to use a hiking pack with individual compartments, allowing items inside to be spread evenly helping to avoid uneven and awkward loads. 2. Be sure that your child’s backpack has wide heavily padded straps to aid in preventing abnormal stresses being placed on the shoulders. 3. Make sure your child wears the backpack with the straps on BOTH shoulders. By using only one strap, the posture is distorted and can eventually lead to future problems. 4. Make sure the backpack is worn close to the body at shoulder level, avoiding long loose straps. The lower the backpack is carried on the body the more stress is placed on the muscles of the spine. By wearing the backpack close to the body, it distributes the weight evenly over the shoulders and allows the legs to carry a majority of the weight. 5. DO NOT OVERLOAD THE BACKPACK! How much is too much weight? A fully loaded backpack should not exceed 10 to 15 percent of the child’s body weight. (i.e., a 45-lb. child’s pack should weigh no more that 7-lbs.) This weight concern is not only present in the U.S., but throughout the world. Two years ago in Bangkok, Thailand, the education ministry imposed weight limits on book bags. It had found that almost half of the elementary students were carrying bags weighing more than 6 pounds. In Brazil, two states have passed laws limiting the weight a child can carry in a backpack. By following these simple steps your child can prevent injuries from occurring while using backpacks. If your child has experienced pain, spasms, numbness or tingling, it may be a sign that damage has already started. Doctors of Chiropractic are specialist in treating and correcting injuries suffered from repetitive stresses and abnormal posture. By catching a problem early and correcting it, you will be saving your child from a life of unnecessary pain and discomfort. Remember the old adage, “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree”. Take an active part in correcting your child’s abnormal posture and help them prevent future problems from occurring. |