5 steps to overcome financial stress and build mental resilience.

Financial worries can be a significant cause of stress but taking proactive steps will help you cope. In these uncertain times, with inflation and higher interest rates, elements of our financial lives are beyond our control. That can lead to feelings of anxiety and helplessness. However, there are proactive steps you can take to help build mental resilience and cope more effectively with financial worries. Here are five tips to help you deal with financial uncertainty.

1. Actively manage your stress levels

It’s important to remember that our reactions to negative events can be as damaging as the events themselves. Stress-related reactions can include poor concentration, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, reduced productivity and interpersonal conflicts.¹ These can lead to a feedback effect which magnifies the original issue until it begins to take over. Anxiety can also tempt us into high-risk behavior which has financial and health-related consequences, from alcohol misuse to gambling, and ‘retail therapy.’

Feeling some stress is entirely natural. However, we can control our emotional reactions and build mental resilience by observing our own thought processes and then using strategies to counter them. Breathing exercises are surprisingly effective, or you can distract yourself with something enjoyable and constructive like writing a blog or coming up with ideas for a side gig which you could even end up making money from.

Once you have your stress levels under control, practice being optimistic and hopeful, focusing your attention on positive steps you can take, however small. Take one day at a time, while planning for possible future challenges.

2. Ensure your physical health

Under stress our bodies release adrenaline and cortisol, which can suppress immune, digestive, sleep and reproductive systems. Feeling stressed can also lead us to develop poor eating habits, exercise less and neglect health issues, either through lethargy or concerns around cost. 

Treating your health as a financial priority will save you money in the long run through medical expenses and lost earnings. Meanwhile, exercising regularly releases endorphins which can help improve our mood and lift us out of a cycle of negative thinking.

3. Share your concerns

Financial issues can leave us feeling isolated, but whatever your money worries you are far from alone. The chances are your family and friends will be able to relate to your concerns. A problem shared is a problem halved, so speak to someone. If you’re not comfortable discussing issues with a friend or family member, search online for forums where you can chat with others in the same situation, or contact an organization which specializes in helping people gain control over their finances, such as The National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

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