Looking after yourself is important too
And how to take care of your mental and financial health
Money and finance can be one of the biggest stresses we face in life, and when the cost of living increases, those stresses can increase as well. That’s why it’s just as important to look after yourself and your mental well-being as it is to look after your budget.
By their nature though, financial worries can quickly become overwhelming. But hopefully, the following tips can help ease some of those stressful times and allow you to focus on enjoying life again.
Keep active: Even if you feel sapped of all your energy, try to get out of the house for some physical activity. This could be a bike ride, a stroll, a session at the gym, a run (or jog), or even just taking the dog for a walk. And it’s even better if you can do it with a friend. Not only can exercise help encourage the production of our ‘happy hormones’ – endorphins and serotonin – but can often also lead to better quality sleep.
Stay connected: Humans are social beings, and we thrive on the company of others, which is why, when we’re feeling down, often all it takes is a catch-up with friends and relatives to make us feel more positive. And don’t be afraid to talk about your worries to a trusted friend – after all, there’s an old saying, ‘A problem shared is a problem halved.’ So, keep in touch with others, catch up for a stroll or a cuppa, or maybe take up something new and social like volunteering, a community group or an inexpensive hobby.
Limit ‘social’ media activity: Seeing other people’s posts on social media often adds to our anxiety and feelings of low self-esteem. But remember, the lifestyles portrayed online can be very different from the reality happening behind the scenes. Try to limit social media engagement if it’s starting to overwhelm you, or you notice negative feelings such as envy, jealousy, inadequacy or hopelessness, starting to creep in.
Eat healthily: In times of stress, it can be tempting to look for quick comfort, and often that comes in the form of our favourite treats. Similarly, we can also look for quick solutions to meals when we lack the spirit to cook, and that usually means takeaway or cheap, highly processed foods. The problem is, when we eat too much of them, they can actually make us feel worse. Try to steer clear of the short-term satisfaction (or at least keep it in check) and focus on eating well (remember, this can include snap-frozen veggies and other whole foods).
Not only could it improve your physical health, but your mental health as well.
Know your lifestyle ‘type’: Some people love routine and feel most comfortable when they have a plan and a regular schedule, while others thrive on spontaneity and the thrill of the unknown. Try to figure out which you prefer and structure your days to fit. If you like routine, aim to do chores, exercise and other activities around the same time each day, and try to sleep and wake on a regular schedule.
Speaking of sleep…: A good night’s sleep is really important for mental well-being. Unfortunately though, when we’re stressed, it can take longer to get to sleep, or we wake in the middle of the night and then worry. Aim to get around seven to eight hours of sleep each night if you can. Avoid checking work emails, social media or the news before going to sleep – instead, read a book or practice some meditation or breathing exercises, have some camomile tea or warm milk. And if you wake in the middle of the night, often writing thoughts or ideas down can be all you need to do to fall sleep again.
Be financially pro-active: If money matters are really stressing you, and you’re worried that loans or credit cards are getting out of hand, get in touch with your lender or credit card provider. They almost all have specialist consultants who may be able to set up a financial hardship arrangement with you. These can take the pressure off mounting debt while you get back on track, and they may also be able to help keep your credit rating looking healthy. Most utility companies, telcos and even the ATO also have financial hardship consultants you can chat to in order to ease some of the pressure on your budget and payments in the short term.
Have a chat: Discussing your worries with a mental health professional – especially when you’re feeling depressed, anxious or helpless – can make an enormous difference. Not only are they open-minded and experienced, but they’re also specially trained to provide practical, sustainable strategies for dealing with mental health concerns and helping navigating a way back to emotional well-being.
If you’re not quite sure what assistance might be helpful, a great placed to start is the Headlight website, which uses a simple questionnaire to help point you in the right direction for more tips and plenty of relevant, reliable, evidence-based information and resources.
Most of all…
…be kind to yourself: Financial worries can happen to anyone, at any time and for all sorts of reasons – many of which are way beyond our control. But by focusing on the things we can do, to stay on top of things, and adopting simple strategies to keep our mental health buoyant, hopefully the worries will begin to fade, and the light at the end of the tunnel will become clearer and brighter every day.