How to Cope with Money Anxiety

Financial or money anxiety has become more common than ever. If you have found yourself worrying about cash lately, you are not alone. In the American Psychological Association’s 2022 Stress in America Survey, 87% of the participants listed inflation as a trigger of significant stress.

Moreover, Traveloka found that 51% of Singaporean men respondents named financial stability as the top stressor in its wellness survey. The rise in prices coupled with the effects of the global pandemic has people from all backgrounds worried.

To know whether you are undergoing money anxiety, you must watch out for some signs. A few signs your anxiety surrounding finances is becoming a serious concern include:

a. Avoidance of bills and other important statements
b. Aches and pains such as headache or upset stomach when you look at your financial situation
c. Analysis paralysis when it comes to decision making
d. Lack of work-life balance
e. Rigidity in planning and its outcome
f. Rumination of money matters such as your retirement fund or credit card bills
g. Sleeping problems due to your financial situation

You see, financial anxiety preoccupies your life and can cripple your day-to-day work. It is more than just worrying about having enough money in your bank account as it manifests similarly to the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, such as tension and irritability.

Nonetheless, here are some ways you can employ to cope with money anxiety.

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#1: CHANGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY

We were taught about money during our childhood. If the values and practices you were taught in the past do not match with your own adult financial situation, it can lead to avoidance and isolation. One of the best ways to establish a relationship with money is to treat it as a problem to be solved. Look at your values, behavior, and practices objectively and learn more about yourself.

Creating a money practice or starting a habit of regularly assessing your finances is the simplest way to shape your relationship with money.

#2: DO REGULAR CHECK-INS

In situations where you feel highly stressed and anxious, your body thinks that it needs to react quickly to danger, so it goes into a flight or fight mode. Others tend to freeze and avoid their finances altogether. Thus, it is important to set a time to look at your money. This approach is more focused and safer for your wellbeing.

For instance, you can choose a random weeknight to examine your finances. Rather than waiting for an unfortunate situation, you can decide ahead of time to prevent a certain financial issue.

#3: CONSIDER GETTING SOCIAL SUPPORT

Many Singaporeans hide their financial issues because they feel embarrassed, or they blame themselves for their situation. However, many people undergo financial trouble often. Keep in mind that anyone can experience money anxiety or financial concerns, despite wearing expensive clothes or having prestigious jobs. We do not know how they keep up with their luxe lifestyle!

These issues can be less frightening when you face them with your social support. Your trusted social support may include your friends and loved ones. These people can help by providing a helping hand or by brainstorming solutions with you.

If your money anxiety is interfering with your daily life, seeking help from a professional can provide relief. Search for a mental health practitioner or a financial expert near you.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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How to respond if your loved one is having suicidal thoughts

person crying beside the bed

What do you do if your loved one tells you they’re thinking about ending their life?

It can be difficult to know how to react when someone close to you reveals that they’re feeling suicidal. Stay calm and know that you’re not alone. There are professionals who can help support your loved one and get them the help they need.

In this post, we will discuss the best ways to respond if your loved one is having suicidal thoughts.

Offer hope

Remind them that things can and will get better.

Let them know that you support them and that you’re there for them no matter what. Most importantly, don’t feed their negative thoughts. They need some positivity now more than ever.

Avoid judgment

Your loved one is already feeling a lot of pain about life, and the last thing they need is for you to add your mindless comments.

Instead, try to be supportive. Let them know that you want to help them get through this tough time. Promote hope and healing, and be understanding if your loved one doesn’t want to immediately talk about what’s going on.

Take their feelings seriously
comforting a loved one

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When your loved one is having suicidal thoughts, take their feelings seriously. This isn’t the time for jokes or making light of the situation.

Your loved one is probably feeling a lot of confusion about recent happenings, and they need you to be there. Talk to them about their thoughts and feelings, and let them know that you’re ready to listen anytime.

Help them develop a plan to move forward

Remember that suicidal thought are just that—thoughts. They don’t have to become a reality.

Help your loved one develop a plan to move forward. This might involve therapy, medication, or just someone to talk to. The crucial thing is that your loved one knows they’re not alone and that there are people who care about them and want to help them get through this challenging time.

You may feel lost and unsure of what to do if your loved one is having suicidal thoughts, but remember that you are not alone. There are people who can help you, and there are steps you can take to support your loved one. Also, don’t neglect taking care of yourself. Supporting a loved one who is struggling with suicidal thoughts can be emotionally draining. Make sure to take time for yourself and allow yourself to heal too.

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Simple tips to curb emotional eating

sliced pizzas

You’ve probably been there before: you’re feeling down, so you eat something to make yourself feel better.

But what if there were other ways to cope with your emotions? It’s not effortless to avoid emotional eating, but with a few manageable tips, you can at least make it a little bit easier.

Why do we emotional-eat

You might emotional-eat because you’re feeling sad, bored, angry, or stressed.

Or maybe you’re just looking for a way to comfort yourself. Emotional eating has nothing to do with hunger and is often done in response to negative emotions.

The dangers of emotional eating

When you’re in the grips of negative emotions, it can be tough to resist the temptation to eat junk food.

The problem with emotional eating is that it’s a vicious cycle. You eat to make yourself feel better, but then the food makes you feel even worse. And before you know it, you’ve eaten bags of chips or tubs of ice cream.

Easy tips to avoid emotional eating
woman meditating using aroma therapy

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Emotional eating is something that a lot of us struggle with. We turn to food not because we’re hungry, but because we’re trying to comfort ourselves or avoid our feelings.

If you’re looking for a way to curb your emotional eating, try these simple tips:

  • Keep a food journal. This will help you track what you’re eating and identify any patterns in your behavior.
  • Make sure you’re eating regular meals and snacks. When you’re famished, it’s easy to reach for unhealthy foods.
  • Avoid eating late at night. Eating close to bedtime can interfere with your sleep and make it harder to resist emotional eating the next day.
  • Find healthy ways to cope with stress and emotions. This might mean talking to a friend, going for a walk, or practicing yoga or meditation.
How to deal with emotional eating triggers

Food can be comforting, sure, but it’s not a real solution to the challenges you’re facing.

In fact, emotional eating can actually make things worse by causing you to feel guilty and ashamed afterward. Not to mention the fact that it can lead to weight gain, which only compounds the problem.

But there are ways to become aware of your triggers.

What sets you off? Is it stress at work? Problems with your partner? A demanding day at school? Once you know what your triggers are, you can start to deal with them head-on.

Create a plan for when temptation strikes. If you know that you’re likely to turn to food when you’re feeling crushed, have a backup plan in place. Maybe call a friend, head to the gym, or take some time for yourself outdoors.

Be mindful of your emotions. This is a big one. When you’re able to be aware of how you’re feeling, you’re less likely to reach for food as a way to cope. Just take a few deep breaths and acknowledge what’s going on before taking any action.

It can be tough to break the habit of emotional eating, we agree. But it’s possible! Try to keep a positive attitude, and don’t dwell on negative thoughts. This will only lead to more emotional eating. Another thing is to make time for regular exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, which can help improve your moods. Seek professional help if you feel like you’re struggling to break the habit of emotional eating on your own. A therapist can provide guidance and support as you work to overcome this challenge.

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Why boundaries are key to a healthy workplace

team meeting over drinks

In the workplace, boundaries are essential for maintaining a healthy balance between your professional and personal lives.

They help to protect you from burnout and keep you focused on your work. But setting boundaries can be difficult, especially if you’re not used to doing it.

It’s challenging to know when to say no and how to stick to your guns. Fortunately, there are a few key things to keep in mind when it comes to setting boundaries in the workplace.

In this post, we will discuss the importance of boundaries and offer some tips on how to set them and stick to them.

What are boundaries?

Simply put, boundaries are guidelines that dictate how we interact with others.

They help us to stay in control of our interactions and protect our time, energy, and emotions.

Boundaries can be physical, like when we set a limit on how much work we’re willing to do in a day, or emotional, like deciding not to get wrapped up in office politics.

Why are boundaries important in the workplace?

If you don’t set boundaries, you’re going to start feeling overwhelmed and resentful. You will be working all the time, and feel like you can’t take a break. Before you know it, you are burned out.

What are some examples of boundaries you can set in the workplace?
man with smartphone and laptop

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Remember that you are not expendable. You have value, and your time is just as important as anyone else’s.

Start by setting limits on how much work you’re willing to do outside of the office. You can also establish a cutoff time for work-related emails and phone calls.

And don’t be afraid to say no to requests that are unreasonable or unfair. Standing up for yourself is a crucial part of setting boundaries in the workplace. Remember, it’s okay to put your own needs first.

How can you set boundaries without seeming rude or unprofessional?

Whatever your boundaries may be, communicate them confidently to your colleagues.

You might want to put them in your email signature or an away message, or simply discuss them during a meeting.

The significant thing is to be clear about what our boundaries are and convey them effectively to those around us. This way, everyone knows where they stand and we can all maintain a healthy level of respect for one another.

You may be hesitant to set boundaries at work, but doing so is key to maintaining your mental health and well-being. When you set boundaries, you’re telling your employer that you’re not available to be used and abused. You have a right to say no, and your employer cannot demand more of you than you are willing to give. When you set boundaries, you’re taking control of your life and your career. You’re telling the world that you’re not going to let them walk all over you. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself—if not, who else will?

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Money Topics to Discuss When in a Long-Term Relationship

Like everything else in your relationship, it all boils down to communication. Your quest to find the right person may include someone with a pleasing personality, someone whom you share interests in, someone who gets along well with your family and friends, and other factors that affect your chemistry. As your journey to the “one” comes to an end, you must remember one crucial component: money.

Money has been known to be a leading cause of stress in relationships. This topic is often off-limits, and many couples steer away from conversations involving one’s financial situation. Maybe you are skipping money conversations because you do not want to deal with the consequences of your spending habits. Or, perhaps you have been dating for less than a year and you fear that bringing up a serious topic is going to put a pause on your fun times.

When in a long-term relationship, it is important to discuss your finances with your partner. Everything would not simply work itself out. Your relationship with money will take effort and time.

#1: TALK ABOUT YOUR VIEWS ON MONEY MANAGEMENT

What are your partner’s views on spending and saving? Start the conversation with a non-judgmental tone. You can also share some examples of past experiences that may have influenced your current views and behaviors surrounding money.

This is where you and your partner will go in-depth into how your finances look now and whether your financial habits and views are compatible with one another.

#2: ELABORATE ON YOUR MONEY GOALS

Say you have always dreamed of owning a flat, and you want to do it sooner rather than later. You may want to forgo large expenses such as a European vacation or paying rent near the city-center. Is your partner on board with the plan? Is she or he ready to purchase a flat with you? You need to talk about your money goals and work together to accomplish them.

#3: DISCUSS YOUR ASSETS AND DEBTS

Let us face it! The reality is that, even if you and your partner do not combine finances now or ever, your partner’s money situation is going to affect yours. Do discuss your assets and debts. Big expenses and potentially thousands of dollars of debt can impact any short-term or long-term plans you have.

#4: ASK IF YOUR PARTNER PAYS BILLS ON TIME

If you always pay your bills later, this could affect your ability to borrow money. Your inability to borrow money can affect your future plans with your partner. To check your credit, consider requesting a copy from one of the reporting agencies or your financial institution.

#5: DECIDE HOW YOU ARE GOING TO COMBINE FINANCES

Some couples choose to set up a joint bank account as soon as they decide that they are in it for the long haul. While others have kept their money separate for their entire lives. Decide whether you are going to combine finances or not.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

No matter how you structure your accounts, a joint spreadsheet is a helpful tool to keep track of your household expenses and income. Remember that you can affect each other’s financial situation, especially when entering matrimony.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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