Are you stressed about money? You’re not alone. If you’re experiencing a temporary salary reduction or another household member has lost their income, it can be difficult to keep up with all the expenses—and all the pressure.
Financial stress can make your job more nerve-wracking since you feel the need to perform—especially if your employer has experienced recent losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. You want to prove your value.
Yet anxiety doesn’t help you do a better job.
So how can you cope with financial stress at work? Below are our top 7 strategies.
#1 Understand Your Budget
First of all, tackle your problems head-on. Some people cope with anxiety by avoiding the problem and hoping it will somehow get better without their intervention. This rarely works.
Instead, take a hard look at your financial situation and look for ways to save more money by reducing your tax burden and cutting down on expenses. Then, create a new budget based on your current income.
Even if you have to tighten your waistband, you’ll feel better knowing you’re taking the appropriate action.
#2 Take CBD
Sometimes, stress crops up at inconvenient times—like just before a big presentation or a meeting with your boss. How can you slow your pulse, stop sweating, and perform your role effectively?
CBD provides in-the-moment anxiety relief. There are several popular ways to take CBD:
- Oil – Place under your tongue for 30-60 seconds
- Tablets – Chew, then hold under your tongue for 30-60 seconds
- Gummies – Eat and go!
, which are both delicious and discreet.
#3 Plan Ahead for Lunch
Are you stressed about spending too much money at the lunch canteen? Pack ahead in a bento box. This is a great way to stick to your new budget.
You can also fill your Bento box with healthy super foods like orange vegetables, kale, mushrooms, and salmon. These can help give you the energy you need to overcome stress and do your job effectively.
#4 Use Aromatherapy
Start your workday off on the right foot with a soothing essential oil. Inhaling lavender or ylang ylang can help to soothe your nerves and put you in the right state of mind for your workday.
We love Rocky Mountain essential oils. Place some in a personal diffuser or dilute in a carrier oil and apply to your wrists.
#5 Take a Walk
Healthy exercise is proven to help lower stress levels. Taking a quick walk around the block during your lunch break gives you a chance to remove yourself from your situation. The new scenery and light exercise can help mitigate the consequences of stress and provide you with a refreshed perspective.
No great walking paths in your area? You could also use your lunch break to catch a yoga class or stretch at your desk.
#6 Meditate
Meditation helps you tolerate emotions as they come up. As you learn to view your stress objectively, you may get some helpful distance from it.
Start out by meditating for just two or three minutes at a time. Try out a meditation app to experience a little relaxation anytime you need it.
If you have some extra time on your lunch break, you could sit down with your thoughts for even longer.
#7 Prioritize Sleep
When you get home from work, don’t let your financial stress keep you up at night. Poor sleep will only increase your level of anxiety.
We know that it can be difficult to doze off when you feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. If this is the case, try a sleep supplement to help you fall (and stay) asleep.
Other popular sleep aids include:
- Lavender-stuffed pillows
- Sound machines
- Aromatherapy oil
With any luck, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the grind.
Money Isn’t Everything
It’s normal to be stressed about money. From short-term budget issues to worrying about retirement, your financial health greatly impacts your life. At the same time, chronic stress makes it harder to enjoy the present moment and everything that is going well. In the long-term, it can even affect your immunity and physical health.
Don’t let financial stress deprive you of happiness. Instead, use these stress-busting strategies to keep your head down when you’re at work and your spirits up when you’re at home.
