Identify The Triggers
Financial anxiety can stem from a range of triggers that can include late or approaching bill payments, unexpected expenses, and even familial obligations and expectations around money. Sometimes even the very sources you turn to for financial advice can sometimes exacerbate this anxiety. The resulting stress from these triggers can lead to avoidant behaviors, such as not checking mail or online statements, which only amplifies the problem in the long run.
Financial stress doesn’t just affect your wallet; it can have serious physical and emotional consequences such as:
- Increased heart rate,
- Muscle tension,
- Panic attacks,
- And headaches.
Beyond these, there are more subtle impacts, such as the ways individuals may self-soothe through unhealthy behaviors like gambling, alcohol consumption, or excessive spending.
The good news is that once you identify the triggers you can work to manage or stop the anxiety in its tracks. There are also qualified professionals you can see to help with this.