Six Tips to Reduce Stress During Difficult Financial Times

During these difficult financial times, many persons are experiencing higher levels or stress, worry, and anxiety. The following six anxiety reducing tips could help you overcoming stress and live a better life, even if your financial budget is in “crisis.”

1) STAY CONNECTED. We often withdraw when we become stressed or depressed. Instead, turn to your social support – Be around friends and family – Don’t isolate. Let those close to you help you through the hard times.

2) GET OUT OF YOUR MIND. It is good to Be concerned about finances, but worrying all the time is not helpful. Schedule a specific time to worry–20 minutes a day. If you find yourself worrying outside that designated time, tell yourself “I’ve scheduled a time for this.” Then, immediately refocus on something else. The human mind is bad at focusing on more than one thing at a time, so focus on something good.

3) Don’t lie to yourself. When we experience an upsetting event, such as losing a job, we can (and often do) make things worse by telling ourselves destructive lies. For example,

a. I’m not valuable

b. No one will ever hire me again

c.  My life is going down the toilet

The truth to the situation is rarely so negative, and can even be positive. True statements may be:

d. I will find another job

e. I have friends and family that care about me*

f. My value is not based solely on their work*

4) BEST FRIEND TEST. We are often harder on ourselves than we are with anyone else. Sometimes I have my clients ask themselves “if my best friend was in the same situation, would I want them to feel this way? What advice would I give to my best friend?” Then I have them take that advice.

5) EXERCISE. Tried and true, exercise is a great stress reducer.

6) TAKE CONTROL. Anxiety often shows up when we feel helpless. Show yourself you’re not helpless by doing things that will help. For example, write a budget, go to a job fair, cancel your magazine subscription, organize your files, CHANGE SPENDING HABITS, update your resume. Even if times are still tough, you can tell yourself “I am doing the things within my control to better the situation.”