Tips for Coping with Financial Pressures

Guest Article by Courtney Phillips:
These days, it’s hard not to notice the state of the economy.  Whether you are directly affected by the current situation, it’s hard not to let financial worries crop up from time to time.  However, for some people these concerns can be quite bothersome and can cause much unnecessary stress and anxiety.  Shifting one’s focus is essential when dealing with stress and strain related to money problems.  Read on for some tips related to coping with financial pressures.

No News is Good News
Keeping up with what’s going on in the world is one thing; obsessing about the financial news all day every day is something entirely different.  Try your best to refrain from watching the news and keeping up with breaking headlines if these things get you riled up.  It could be very beneficial to simply watch the evening news without constantly being in the know.  Remember, a few years ago we weren’t so connected—you can do without the news for a few hours if it’s only going to upset you.

Make Proper Adjustments
Financial pressures often mean that a major change in lifestyle may be just around the corner.  Rather than looking at this like a punishment, try to look at it as an opportunity.  Going out to eat may be one of the pleasures you still wish to enjoy, so make sure that you still do that, but less frequently.  Reading books, magazines, and papers can be done without spending money.  Adjust your lifestyle to fit your new budget and your worries will decrease over time.

Find Something to Do
Don’t sit idly by and let bad news affect your entire being.  Find something to do when you’re feeling stressed.  It can be as simple as going for a walk or learning to play an instrument.  Seize these opportunities to reconnect with friends and loved ones because this is only temporary.  Once things return to normal, you don’t want to have any regrets about not spending quality time with people when you were able to do so.

Breathe Easy
When things feel like they’re spiraling out of control, take a minute to sit back and just breathe.  This is one thing that all human beings have to do, so take a few moments to enjoy breathing life into your body.  Slow down and focus on your breathing and feel the stress melt away.  There is nothing like focus on breathing and letting your cares go, even if only for a minute.

This post was contributed by Courtney Phillips, who writes about the top rated colleges. She welcomes your feedback at CourtneyPhillips80 at gmail.com