Are you going through financial troubles? Having difficulty dealing with the stress associated with it?
It is common for people to go through financial highs and lows. Particularly, when you are young and haven’t quite figured how the most dependable way to manage your personal finances. Even if you are older, you can learn from your struggles and try not to repeat the actions that steered you in this direction.
Here Are Some Tried and Tested Coping Skills to Deal with Financial Stress
1) Stay Away from Alcohol and Other Drugs
Whether you have money problems or not, abuse of alcohol or any other drug like nicotine or caffeine never ends in a good way. These drugs make you feel good for a while–maybe drinking makes you forget about your worries for a while–but in the long run, it can damage your internal organs and also bring upon other issues that you do not want, at this moment.
2) Continue to Wake up Early in the Morning
If a loss of job or a business opportunity is the primary reason behind the financial stress in your life, then it can affect your daily schedule. It is very common for an unemployed person to feel downhearted and sad about their situation; in some cases, a loss of job also leads to serious mental disorders like depression and anxiety. To cope with financial stress, it is key to wake up early and go to bed early.
3) Stay Active and Busy
Staying active and busy is another great way of coping with financial stress and money-related worries. Again, if the reasons behind your financial stress is a loss of a job, then you may be forced to spend your days staying indoors. Staying indoors for longer periods will lead to you becoming inert and dull. Hence, getting out of the rut will become even more difficult. Hence, engage in activities like jogging, walking your dog in the park, meditation, journaling and reading books on positive psychology. Staying active and busy can also mean starting a new business to earn some side income, like selling things on Amazon or starting a blog like my friend Anna did with her baby blog.
4) Use an Expense Tracker App
The fastest way to streamline your expenses is by using an expense tracker app on your phone. If your financial stress is due to your inability to manage your money (which is common among people in their 20s), it is best to use a tool that can help you out. Apps like Personal Capital and QuickBooks are free of cost and easy-to-use. You don’t need to be an expert.
5) Seek Emotional Support from Friends and Family
We live in a culture where being independent and self-sufficient is praised. Don’t get me wrong. It is important to be in total control over your life. But sometimes we forget to do the one thing that made us into the intelligent being we are today. As our ancestors did, we should too learn to share our feelings with our loved ones. Being open and honest about your money problems with your friends and family will also ensure you have accountability.
Conclusion
You might be knee-deep in debt or have to focus on paying off your student loan when others are carefree and relishing in their 20s. But realize that you could be going through much worse problems. Financial problems are always temporary. With some education and counseling, they could easily be dealt with.
