Stress Builds
Stress and anxiety implodes at this time of the year – no matter what budgets and controls we have in place, the pressure to give to children and loved ones because of expectations causes the headache not on Christmas day but in the weeks after when the realisation of the overspend hits hard. Not just the bank account. It hits the body hard. That is just one thing that builds stress. Then there is the pressure of working and trying to fit everything else in that has to be done if we want to give the best Christmas to our loved ones. It all kind of snowballs and the pressures then just build.
Christmas is stressful and the problems build here are the main causes of stress at this festive time.
Stress and Health
Stress can manifest in many ways, the knot in the stomach, IBS, tension in the body, mind fog, back and neck pain. The list goes on. Before long anxiety builds and anxiety leads to depression. The pressures build and the symptoms get worse as we cannot fully function physically, mentally, or emotionally. More stress, more anxiety and heightened emotions. This can lead to arguments and relationship issues worsen. Then maybe on to separation. The spiral down has well and truly got underway and may result in homelessness and possibly at worst suicide. There are so many unnecessary suicides in the UK Samaritans share statistics
It’s incredibly stressful when you realise you have to make major changes in life. For many people, financial concerns are a constant source of anxiety and tension which is quite common in today’s economy and especially at Christmas. Worrying about your problems won’t help you solve them, but there are other ways you can deal with the financial stress successfully. When you are stressed out, there are other aspects of your life that get affected as well. You will have a hard time concentrating or focusing on important tasks because you are too busy worrying about your financial stress. By worrying less and planning more, you can handle the situation much better.
Here are a few simple tips to relieve your financial stress:
Make a Budget
Making a budget will help you get control over your finances and help you decide where and when you are going to spend your money. By making a spending and savings plan you can save yourself from going into debt. It may seem like a daunting process in the beginning, but with the passage of time you will get the hang of it and increase your savings. Begin by the first month’s expenses and cut in different areas and spend wisely until you find the perfect balance.
Make an Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is a money you set aside for financial emergencies. It is easier to use the money according to your budget if you know you have money set aside for the unexpected expenses that may arise. It seems overwhelming at first to build an emergency fund, especially if you are struggling to make ends meet. You can even sell some objects in order to build up cash quickly.
Automate Your Payments
Payments such as phone, electricity and gas bills are recurring and take time to manually deal with. By automating these payments via an auto-debit service, you can save the stress and time of dealing with them. You can also save yourself from the extra charges that occur due to late payment.
Using these simple strategies, you can stay one step ahead and plan your finances wisely. However, this time of the year no matter what budgets and controls we have in place, the pressure to give to children and loved ones because of expectations causes the headache not on Christmas day but in the weeks after when the realisation of the overspend hits hard. Not just the bank account. It hits the body hard.
Heal Yourself and Build Resilience
Now this is something we can all do. No Talking, a simple to learn yet powerful practice that enables anyone under pressure to open the release valve and let go of what the body holds. When we let go of the physical, mental and emotional tensions we start to feel lighter, brighter, more focussed, energised, happier and more at peace. We build resilience so that that when faced with pressures we can deal with the toughest situations in a calm ad composed manner. The TRE is the best step forward in self-help and self-care. Heal quickly with guidance and support which is necessary when learning the practice. You will find out more about the inspirational TRE UK® Workshops around the country. How to learn via Skype. No one is isolated. Budgeting and planning finances at such stressful times of the year become a key focus when the mind is clear, the senses are sharp and the pressure is no longer felt in the body. Read the many stories and sharing from Workshop experiences with TRE UK®.
Have yourself a very Happy Christmas. Let love and kindness be your gifts if money is tight. Be innovative and creative to avoid damage limitation of spiralling stress levels. Then look to learn something in the new year that special gift of a Total Release Experience®