Click on this image to subscribe for more great blog articles! (look for Subscription at the bottom of the home page).
Introduction
Financial uncertainty is stressful at the best of times, but during a recession, it can be even more so. If you're worried about your finances, then it's important to remember that you're not alone and there are plenty of people who are going through similar things. However, if your anxiety levels are getting too high or you feel like you need to talk through what's happening with someone else, there are options out there for support that might help ease some of your worries. Find some useful steps on how to deal with that below or come for more advice, I am always happy to help.
Practice self-care.
You've probably heard a million times that it's important to practice self-care, but it's also easy to forget in the midst of all of your financial worries.
Self-care is anything you do to better yourself and your mental health, such as taking a bath or going for a walk. It can include something as simple as listening to music or reading a book. Self-care doesn't have to be something expensive—it's more about what makes *you* feel better than anything else!
In order to fully take care of yourself and reduce stress, try doing one thing that makes you feel good every day. If that means watching your favourite show on Netflix while eating ice cream at 9 pm every night, then go right ahead! You deserve it.
Eat well and stay hydrated.
Make sure that you eat a well-balanced diet.
Avoid unhealthy foods like junk food, sweets and fast food.
Drink plenty of water or herbal teas to keep your body hydrated and healthy.
Focus on the positive.
It's important to focus on the positive. Don't focus on what you don't have and how bad things are. Focus on how you can make it better, instead of thinking about how things are now and why they should be different.
It's also important not to let your thoughts affect your actions. Catch negative thoughts early and choose not to follow them down a rabbit hole of doom.
Focus on what you have, not what you don't have.
When you're feeling overwhelmed or stressed about money, it's easy to focus on what you don't have and let that anxiety spiral into a downward spiral. But if you focus on what you do have and work from there, the process of finding a solution becomes much easier.
Start by making a list of all the things in your life that are going well right now—and keep focusing on them! It's amazing how many positive things there can be when we stop looking for the negatives.
You might even want to make another list: one of all the ways in which things could get better. This can include bigger goals like starting an online business or buying your dream home; it may also include smaller changes like taking time off work to spend with family or quitting smoking cigarettes (which costs $5-10 per pack). The point is not just "thinking positively"—it's also setting yourself up for success by thinking about what actions will help lead towards those goals while keeping an eye out for obstacles along the way so they don't trip up your efforts before they've even begun.
Don't let your thoughts affect your actions.
Don't let your thoughts dictate what you do.Don't allow negative thinking to stop you from reaching your goals.
Catch negative thoughts early and choose to not follow them down a rabbit hole.
To avoid spiralling into a panic attack or anxiety-induced binge, catch those negative thoughts early.
Seen this before? "I'm not good enough. I don't deserve to be happy."
You may think that it's just your mind playing tricks on you, but these kinds of thoughts can be harmful to your mental health and well-being. They're also very common: many people struggle with them from time to time. And if left unchecked, they could lead down a rabbit hole of self-doubt that would make even the most confident person question their value as a human being.
So what should you do when you start thinking things like this? The simple answer is: don't follow those thoughts down that particular path! Instead, try to reframe them so they're more realistic and helpful (for example: "I am human and sometimes make mistakes"). This will help keep negativity at bay while still allowing room for improvement in other areas of life if needed—and all without letting yourself get too worked up over every setback along the way!
Click on this image to subscribe for more great blog articles! (look for Subscription at the bottom of the home page).
Take a break from the news if it affects you negatively.
The news is a source of information, and as such, it has its place in society. However, for those dealing with financial uncertainty or other financial stresses and anxieties, the constant barrage of bad news can be overwhelming—and even detrimental to mental health. Though it may sound counterintuitive at first, giving yourself some time away from the incessant stream of stories about how much worse things will get (or how much worse they already are) can actually be beneficial for your overall well-being.
It’s not just that this kind of negative information is tiring; it can also cause stress and anxiety. The more stressed you are by something—including worrying about money—the more likely you are to experience physical symptoms like headaches or sleep issues. It becomes harder to concentrate on work or school when you’re worried about the future because your brain gets stuck in an endless loop of doom-and-gloom scenarios; this makes everything take longer than it should. And who wants that?
Remember that everything is temporary. Be kind to yourself and realise that this is a very difficult situation for everyone.
Remember that everything is temporary. Be kind to yourself and realise that this is a very difficult situation for everyone.
Don’t blame yourself for the actions of others. Focus on your own actions instead, as these are under your control, which can help alleviate feelings of guilt and frustration when you see others spending money they don’t have or taking out new credit cards on impulse (while you do neither).
Understand that it’s OK to feel worried about money - but don't let it consume all other aspects of your life! You should still be able to enjoy food, exercise and friends/family time even if you're worried about bills; just make sure not to take this too far so that it becomes detrimental behavior such as drinking too much alcohol or eating unhealthy foods (which will only worsen anxiety symptoms).
Click on this image to subscribe for more great blog articles! (look for Subscription at the bottom of the home page).
Reach out for help if you are struggling with your mental health or need financial advice or support.
If you are struggling with your mental health or need financial advice or support, reach out to someone. You can talk to a friend or family member, seek out a professional counsellor, talk to a financial planner or seek help from an institution such as a bank.
Find ways to relax and unwind - meditation, yoga, exercise, taking a bath, reading a book etc.
When you're feeling stressed and anxious, try to do something that relaxes you. Here are a few examples:
Meditate or do yoga.
Go for a walk outside in nature.
Take a bath with relaxation music playing in the background (or even better yet, turn off your phone and enjoy the silence).
Talking about your concerns can be an effective way of acknowledging them and releasing some of the stress surrounding them.
Talking about your concerns can be an effective way of acknowledging them and releasing some of the stress surrounding them. It can help you to understand your feelings, find solutions, and feel less alone.
It feels good to talk things through with someone you trust, whether it's a friend or family member. If talking face-to-face isn't possible, there are other ways to communicate—emailing or texting works just as well as speaking on the phone does! You can discuss your worries with a financial professional if there's one available in your area who offers free consultations (or at least at a reduced rate). Or make sure to take advantage of any support groups offered by non-profits like The Salvation Army or Family Services Association of America that deal specifically with money management issues—these groups have been proven effective for helping people cope when facing financial hardship due to unemployment or unexpected expenses.
Conclusion
If you are struggling with financial uncertainty, it is important to remember that this is not a unique struggle. Financial insecurity affects everyone, and there are many people who care about your wellbeing and want to support you in any way they can. Don't feel like you have to do everything on your own or that you're alone in being affected by these issues.
Click on this image and leave your contact details on the bottom of the home page for more great blog articles !
Lina Kochanske