There are “Boom Times” and there are “Bust Times,” in life, business, relationships, and every other facet of life. The key to is to find a way to do your best and be happy in the best of times and the worst of times. Therapists help you to sail through life when the seas get rough, and can help you through the toughest of life’s storms, including financial stress.
The vows of marriage cite that both individuals will stick together: “…in sickness, and in health, and in good times and bad…” This is because bad times are inevitable; you cannot completely avoid the rough times in life, and it is in these rough times when you need to stick close to your family and loved ones.
How to Get Over Financial Anxiety
Anxiety is simply fear of the unknown, and this is very clear with financial anxiety. Most people get financial anxiety BEFORE their financial situation gets bad. So, this leaves plenty of time for you to get prepared, and to calm your anxieties — which only hamper your mental clarity and health. With a solid financial plan for the future, your anxiety is kept from being at the front of your mind.
Dealing with Worries About Money in a Family
Get the whole family on the same page, and make sure that everyone is both aware of the financial situation, and knows that the family is working together to better the situation and get back to a more secure financial foundation. Remember to ease your spouse, children, and family members’ anxiety also.
Don’t Let Financial Stress Come in the Way of Love and Relationships
Love, family, and connections between 2 or more people are greater than money. Don’t let your stress about financial security or money ruin your relationships with a spouse, children or family. Also, never let your financial situation hold you back from pursuing relationships. Never think that you need to be rich or more financially stable before others will love you — this keeps many people from taking chances and finding true love that supersedes material things.
Don’t Let Financial Stress Keep You From Doing Healthy Activities
When times get tight, cut out the unhealthy expenses that do not contribute to your overall betterment and mental/physical health. $50 per month for a gym membership will help you keep your positive life together and will be much better for you than any of the unhealthy things you may spend that money-on.
Keeping a Positive Mindset During Tough Financial Times
Your mindset is your best defense and weapon during tough times. You should power-through the bad days and setbacks. You should spend the tough times making plans on what to do now and when the times turn better again. Make this time productive, instead of wallowing in your sorrows.
The “Boxing Metaphor” for Dealing With Tough Times
One of the best pieces of advice given to someone who is getting beat-up by tough times is to use the “Boxing Metaphor.” Boxing coaches will tell you that during a fight — when you are getting punched and your opponent has the advantage — that you should cover-up, and defend yourself. This is NOT the time to punch-back or make your attack… you simply cover yourself and make sure the punches don’t seriously injure you.
The advantage of this move is that your opponent gets tired from punching. Once, your opponent is tired or makes a mistake, then you make your move and fight back. It is a simple move, but you have to fight your natural urge to fight-back while you are being punched or attacked, and wait and plan during the tough time.
First Steps in Dealing with Anxiety About Money and Finances
The very first steps you need to take are:
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- Breathe and try and calm down — mistakes are made when you are chaotic and unfocused. Good decisions are made when you think something over (again and again) until you know you have looked at all sides and are making the right choice.
- Keep your mental health and mood concerns managed — if you struggle with depression, mental health concerns, or have substance use disorders it is important to understand that these will likely also worsen when you are stressed about something — especially a great concern like money and financial stability. Those that get overcome by financial stress and mental health concerns are more likely to end up in a dire situation like homelessness.
- Get motivated — to start making the changes that will get you into a better situation. Let your goals and plans for the future EXCITE you! Wake up every day in a positive mood — because these bad times won’t last and you are actively on your way to a better place.
If you can’t calm down, can’t find the motivation, or if your mental health issues are making it all too overwhelming, then you need the help of a therapist to get you into the right mindset to get yourself into a better place.
What If I Can’t Afford A Therapist?
It can feel like you are stuck in a corner if you need therapy to get into a better mindset, but cannot afford therapy just yet. What do you do in this situation? READ! Reading is mostly free – especially with the internet. There are GREAT motivational therapy articles (like this one) that act as your therapist until a live therapist becomes more affordable.
The more your mind understands what it is feeling — and you too understand what the problems are and how they can be fixed — your mind can actually start to fix its own problems. This is what happens happens when you see a therapist: your mind fixes its problems as the problem becomes clear — the therapist just guides your mind to where it needs to go. So reading about therapy and employing the practices yourself can work just as well as seeing a therapist.
How Do I Find a Therapist For Financial Anxiety and Stress
Therapists that focus on “life changes” are great at dealing with financial stress, but really any therapist can help, as they have a deep understanding about anxiety, the brain, and the body.
Tax Advisors Can Be Great Therapists
Again, anxiety is a fear of something that has not happened and may never happen… it is the fear of the unknown and fear of figments of your imagination. So, it is important to not let your imagination run-away with itself. Contact a tax advisor and start asking questions about your situation.
Most people only contact their tax advisors or accountants right before tax season; but you should be planning the coming year with your tax advisor ahead. Does it look like this year will be a big loss for you? Figure out your tax burden now so it is not a surprise next year, and your advisor may also be able to give you ideas on how to make the year more affordable.
Therapy For Financial Stress in Arizona
The Arizona Relationship Institute wants to help you and your family deal with the stress of tough financial times. We offer teletherapy, group therapy, and several levels of therapists that can help make therapy more affordable.
