Economic anxiety is the issue en mode, and experts say the number of people seeking help for their money-induced stress is growing. Those reaching out to professionals for help haven't necessarily dealt with huge financial blows, and some patients are simply affected by the general uncertainty of the times. Whether you're suffering from serious panic attacks, losing sleep, or simply feel more stressed than usual, it's important to find ways to deal with your symptoms.
If you don't think it's necessary to visit a professional for advice, take steps to cope with the stress on your own. According to The New York Times, the general advice experts are dishing out is to "engage in activities that can release stress, like exercise, hobbies or socializing with friends and family," and therapists "also encourage people to try to take action or make decisions in areas where they have some control."
Here's my favorite piece of advice the NYT picked up from the experts surveyed: Write down your worries and responsibilities before you go to bed. It's a simple solution for clearing your head before going to bed, which can give you a better chance for a good night's sleep.
How are you dealing with money stress?
Luella
Paul & Joe
Aminaka Wilmont
I've been educating myself about money in the past year and looking for ways to cut back and save (despite my predilection for shopping). I read blogs like SavvySugar
, watch financial news on MSNBC and CNBC, and read the business section of the paper.
But the biggest help in alleviating money stress is my b/f, because he and I always talk about money and about both our short-term and long-term goals.
1I've been keeping my budget, resume, and network current. (Unfortunately, most of my network has been laid off, and I've become their network!) I've been saving more and finding ways to cut costs. Even though my job is pretty secure, it makes me feel better to have a bigger emergency fund and a ready-to-go resume.
I've also been avoiding business news. It's bad. We know that. I really don't need to hear the hyped up minutiae of the market. It just freaks me out.
2Luckily I don't have much money stress, I'm basically just trying to save a little more money each month.
Funny, the advice from NYT for a good night's sleep would probably have the opposite affect on me. Writing the list would most likely make me stress out about it more. If I'm stressed out at night, TV is a great distraction!
3I stress about money because I haven't got any [truly in my own name], and I'll be moving away to school soon, where I'll have to figure out [at least partially] how to make some money to offset moving and living expenses.
I deal with it by trying to be mind-proactive. I write down ideas and tasks that I have for making money [mostly selling things I own], and preparing a budget for about how much I'll need in the moving process/while I live there. I've checked out books at the library about relocating and selling things...just knowing I'm moving in a direction to alleviate my money stress helps me.
I second bluebellknoll - TV is one of the best distractors ever. I watch [adult swim] every night just to fall asleep!
4Actually, lately I haven't really had any money stress. The recession hasn't affected our lifestyle much, so we've just been continuing to do what we've always done to save money and live frugally. I have been learning more about money and finance though; mostly to know what's exactly happening with the economy and to make better choices with the money I do have.
5Never good...especially when you don't make a lot (pay cut at a new job after getting laid off) and your one pay check pays all your bills-rent, car payment and such. Ugh.
6Beat economic downturns by getting an extra job online by posting resume to craiglist. You need to have a good portfolio to be able to put yourself in a good file of employers.
The internet has opened a lot of possible ways for us to make money online. At first I started my own free hosted blogsite then I also joined affiliate programs.
I got hired to write articles. If you have great collectibles, selling on ebay is also a cool way to make money.
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