Many people are finding themselves stressed about
money right now more than ever. Maybe you lost your job or your company cut
your hours or pay in response to the COVID pandemic. Even before the corona virus, money has always been one of the major anxiety triggers for so
many of us. The good news, however, is there are some positive steps you can
take to better your relationship with money and reduce your stress.
Here are nine ways to do it.
Stop focusing on Lambos, mansions and yachts
You’ve probably seen the Facebook ads or heard the
gurus who tell you to have big dreams of the fancy sports car or big house.
Unfortunately, all this does is leave us feeling depressed focusing on the
things we don’t have and may never acquire. You can dream as big as you want,
but know how to separate fantasy from reality. The abundance mentality is fake
because the brain and science don’t work on abundance.
Play your own game
When financial stress kicks in, it’s easy to start
looking at those around you and comparing their financial situations to yours. Don’t
do this because all it’s going to do is make you envious of other people when
in reality, you have no idea of what someone else’s situation is. Just because
people look like they have their act together doesn’t mean they really do, and
this is especially true with money.
Have an outlet
Financial stress can take a devastating toll on the
body and our physical health. That’s why, like with any form of stress, it’s
imperative to have an outlet to reduce that stress. It can be exercise,
meditation, talking about it, engaging in activities that occupy your mind so
you’re not always thinking about money or whatever it is that brings you
solace.
Make a plan
One of the best ways to relive financial stress is to
make a plan to do something about your finances. If you aren’t where you need
to be financially and you’re always short on money, what steps can you take to
change your financial picture? Sitting around isn’t an option. Finding ways to
minimize expenses and maximize profits is the only answer. Even if it takes you
a little time to get this right, just working toward perfecting this can help
you feel better.
Focus on manageable financial goals
If you are $50,000 in debt, trying to figure out how
to payoff that entire $50,000 is going to leave you feeling pretty miserable
and deflated. Instead, break it down into more manageable figures, whatever
that looks like for you. Maybe it’s $5,000 or $10,000 increments at a time, for
example. Same with earning. If you only make $40,000 a year, telling yourself
that you will become a millionaire next year is probably unrealistic and will
make things worse.
Avoid making rash decisions
When stress gets the best of us and gets us
emotionally worked up, it’s easy to make quick decisions about spending, saving
and debt management without giving things much thought. The problem is, when we
don’t think, we usually make irresponsible decisions. Next time you are faced
with an important financial decision, make sure you are in the right frame of
mind and don’t let your stress allow you to make irrational decisions.
Deal with it quickly and effectively
Financial stress will lead to all kinds of mental and
physical health problems. The best advice: deal with it quickly and
effectively. Stress doesn’t just disappear by itself. In fact, it will get
worse if not dealt with overtime. Deal with the problem head-on, find solutions
and focus on things that relieve your stress, improve your health and make you
feel good.
Use negative thinking to your advantage
Many of us are easily consumed by negative thinking
when it comes to money. Instead of letting it get the best of you, use it to
your advantage to motivate you into action. Use it to make sure you stay risk
averse and manage your losses so you don’t lose out on a financial future that
will make you secure.
Bet on the only white horse—You
The only person you should depend on is you.
Hold yourself accountable for your own financial results. That doesn’t mean you
can’t seek the input of others along the way; and in fact, you should reach out
to experts who can guide you along the way. In the end, however, it’s up to you
and only you.
The takeaway
Money isn’t everything, but it certainly plays a major
role in our lives. Many times it can feel like an uphill battle trying to get
it right. Make sure you’re taking the steps to reduce your financial stress
because eventually it will have a direct impact on your mental and physical
health. Like anything else in life, money may be a challenge and overwhelming
at first. You have the power to take control of your finances, reduce your
worry and feel better about things.
Dr. Alok Trivedi is a national stress reduction,
health and human behavior expert. He is author of the book ‘Chasing Success’
and founder of The Aligned Performance Institute. https://aloktrivedi.com/
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