| There are various practical, common sense ways | | | | don't remain in a state of chronic stress. |
| of dealing with financial stress, such as: | | | | Keeping a journal can be a help too as then we |
| · taking an honest look at our finances | | | | record and express on paper the way we feel |
| · create a plan to reduce credit card debt | | | | and think which gets it out of our system and |
| · consult a debt counselling organisation | | | | allows us to move on from there to the next |
| · save money by cutting what is not essential. | | | | steps instead of just ruminating. It can also be |
| Apart from the practical aspects of starting to | | | | useful as it makes us feel we actively participate |
| make a plan, we might well first need to get | | | | in the process and that we are facing the |
| ourselves in a state of being able to do this | | | | situation. |
| intelligently, with a clear mind. | | | | So these are the first steps towards dealing with |
| We may need the help of a friend for this. | | | | financial stress, ie getting ourselves into shape to |
| Remaining calm is essential after the first anxiety | | | | cope with the situation. |
| bursts, or learn to get back to a certain level of | | | | Having expressed and vented all our heavy |
| calm by practising some deep breathing exercises | | | | emotions, it is now advisable to brainstorm |
| for example. | | | | solutions and write these down. Possibly jotting |
| Breathing works well because it can be done | | | | down short-term, medium-term and long-term |
| anytime and anywhere. | | | | money-making ideas. |
| We often do not realise that we are helping | | | | The next phase is the planning; getting help is part |
| ourself remain stressed by keeping our breath | | | | of this phase too! |
| shallow. | | | | And getting some physical exercise throughout |
| The same goes for relaxation. We can learn how | | | | this process will help to keep your energy high as |
| to relax within a few hours. It is a recommended | | | | you ideally need it to be to deal effectively with |
| skill that will serve us for the rest of our life and | | | | financial stress. |
| also improve our health. It is a fast stress-reliever | | | | Hopefully, these measures will go some way |
| and can calm our body's stress response so we | | | | towards solving these stressful events. |