Everyone has experienced financial stress at some point in their lives. The world is full of debt, after all.
The national debt in the United States is $22 trillion. Which equals roughly $69,000 per person.
In Canada, it’s about $768 billion – or $18,000 per person.
In the UK, it’s £1,821.3 billion – or £78,000 per person.
And with debt, comes repayments, responsibilities, and a whole lot of stress. Apart from taking on another soul-sucking job or spending all your free time trying to make extra money online to help clear off some of that debt, the worry and angst can really play havoc with your health.
Thankfully there are ways to your beat financial stress.
Tackle the biggest stresses first
If you’ve ever heard the expression “eat the frog”, it refers to doing the thing you loathe first. For many, this includes retrenchment, the death of a loved one, and divorce. While these require you to handle things as they come along, another big stress that also carries a massive financial load can be tackled head-on, and that is moving house. Two-thirds of people have rated moving homes as the most stressful thing to do. The obvious change of environment triggers high anxiety levels and in order to cope with this large new commitment, movers are recommended to give themselves as much time as possible for the actual move and not try to take it all on in one day.
Take time to appreciate the small things
It’s tough to take time to smell the roses when financial pressure is weighing down on your shoulders. Not everything that’s nice to do costs money and a simple walk in the park can do wonders for stress levels and your health in return. These moments also help with clarity, which means tough decisions can be mulled over in the solitude of a walk. This includes looking at refinancing or restructuring existing loans, choosing the right payment plan, and more.
But these moments should also be used to simply clear your mind and take in the beauty of the surrounds. Breathing techniques, mindfulness, and even just listening to some music or having a good chuckle can drop those stress levels. This is important stuff because stress is linked to the big six: heart disease, cancer, lung conditions, cirrhosis of the liver, accidents, and suicide.
Get some exercise
Be careful not to add to the financial pressure by taking on additional financial responsibilities, like a gym contract or membership at the local club. Instead, enjoy a mini dance party in your living room while the kids are at school or take a long walk around the neighborhood. Running may also be an option if you already have a good pair of running shoes gathering dust in the closet. Research indicates that exercise has a positive effect on depression, anxiety, and even ADHD.
While financial pressure can be tough, it shouldn’t suck the joy out of your life. Instead, tackle the issue head-on and clear some mental space for things that you enjoy.