How to stop worrying about money
Money worries are normal, and many people experience them throughout their lives. Whether you’ve been made redundant, lost your job or are struggling to manage your debt, you may feel anxious about your finances.
If your finances are causing you emotional and physical strain on a regular basis, it may be something you need to address to prevent it leading to a more serious mental health problem.
There are effective ways to monitor your finance and ways to help you manage stress and worry to avoid it having a huge impact on your day-to-day life. We explore them here in our top tips.
Tips to stop worrying about money
Don’t ignore your money fears
Firstly, it’s important that you manage what it is about money that makes you feel worried and stressed. If you ignore the issue, it could become worse, so it’s better to face it head on and seek the support you need. For example, if you feel like you can no longer deal with your debt, speak to someone who can provide advice on how to manage and prioritise them. Often when feeling worried or anxious we can avoid talking to others and sharing our problems, but it will generally make the money worries easier to deal with.
Organise your finances
Getting your finances in order can help you to feel in control and understand your worries more clearly. This could mean checking on your bank accounts and balances more regularly, considering standing orders or direct debits to avoid missing payments, or limiting yourself by taking a set amount of cash out rather than using cards.
Stick to your daily routine
If you’ve lost your job, it doesn’t mean your routine is no longer important. A consistent routine will ensure you sleep well and eat well, which will in turn make you feel better within yourself. If you lose your routine and skip meals, you might find your worries have a greater opportunity to take over your headspace and cause distress.
Stay active
Physical activity is proven to improve low mood. Try to exercise on a regular basis, whether you take a short walk around your local park or complete a high intensity workout. Keeping your body active is something you can do for free that can positively affect your mood and assist with how you tackle your worries. Take a look at these tips from the NHS to get fit for free.
Focus on facts
Often when worrying your mind starts to think about what-ifs, but usually they never actually play out. When you’re worrying about money, try to focus on the facts and remember what’s true and what’s not.
Keep a diary
Keeping a diary can help you to understand your money and mood patterns. Record when and where your spending money, as well as how you were feeling before and afterwards. This may help you identify any patterns or triggers and feel like you’re more in control of your money worries.
Be aware of your weaknesses
If your money problems and worries are due to bad habits or the way you’ve managed money in the past, it’s important to become aware of your weaknesses and make a plan that will allow you to manage the temptations to slip back into old ways. Think about when and why you spend money.
If you need more help with your money worries
Citizens Advice
If you need help with debt, information about benefits or redundancy support, Citizens Advice can provide helpful information that is free and confidential.
Mind
The charity Mind has a comprehensive section on their website with advice and support on money and mental health.
GOV.UK
The government website has a lot of information about managing debt, redundancy and dismissals and benefits.
Debt advice and support
There are several organisations offering free and impartial advice, including:
Speak to your GP
If you are still struggling with feeling worried, stressed or anxious, you can see your GP to discuss psychological therapy services in your area,
If you feel you cannot cope with your worries any longer, or feel life is not worth living, seek help immediately from your GP or a helpline. Here is the NHS list of recommended helplines to call if you need mental health support and expert advice.
Seek help today
If you or a loved one is struggling with money worries or you would like to find out more about depression and how you can help those dealing with this mental health condition, see tips on how to help someone with depression.
