When Uncertain Times Cause Financial Worries—How to Deal with Anxious Feelings

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a variety of different issues, from those on a global scale to problems that can feel very personal. It’s safe to say that almost everyone has been impacted in some way.

For many, that includes added financial worries. Some people have lost their jobs due to this pandemic; others have had their hours cut back considerably. They may wonder: How can I continue paying our bills or taking care of my family’s needs?

Unfortunately, government stimulus checks don’t last long enough to continuously pay the bills. And that leads to a lot of anxious feelings over finances.

So, what can you do if you have financial worries due to uncertain times?

Embrace a New Normal

Many states are starting to “re-open,” at least in phases. That means restaurants, parks, and shopping centers are becoming available for patrons again. Unfortunately, that doesn’t necessarily mean your life has gotten back to normal.

If the world around you starts to look like it used to—or even starts to look like a “new” normal—you might feel more anxious than usual. That can be especially true if you’ve experienced unemployment as a result of this pandemic.

One of the best things you can do is to try to embrace that sense of normalcy. Now that things are re-opening, you may be able to ease your financial worries by looking for a job somewhere, even if it’s only temporary. Places like restaurants and shopping centers were hit hard by the pandemic. Now, they might be hiring new workers to replace those they lost before.

Take Care of Yourself

Financial worries can completely take over your thoughts if you let them. You might find yourself not knowing what to do or not sure how you’re going to make things work. As a result, it’s easy for your mental health to sit on the back burner.

Self-care is extremely important during uncertain times. Unfortunately, if you’re constantly stressed, worried, or even depressed, you might be putting other things first or ignoring both your physical and emotional/mental health. That can kick off a vicious cycle that leads to even more anxious thoughts and feelings.

Stop for a moment and ponder on this fact: It is okay to put yourself first, no matter what your financial situation may be.

Of course, self-care looks different for everyone. So, it’s important to find things that work for you. Thankfully, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to take care of yourself. Anything from a few minutes of meditation or mindfulness in the morning to taking a long afternoon walk can contribute to feeling more positive.

Don’t let the distractions of the current uncertainties take away from caring for yourself. When you do decide to put your mental (and physical) health first, you can better take care of others and harness your focus on taking positive steps forward.

Invest In Your Mental Health

Financial worries are only a part of the uncertainties people are facing. Everything from loneliness and isolation to fears over the virus itself have caused major problems for people’s overall mental health. So your mental health should really be your top priority during these uncertain times.

However, financial issues might be what’s keeping you from seeking therapy.

If that is the case, consider your mental health an important investment. Even if things are tight right now, investing in yourself to feel better can help you to do better. It can start a cycle of positivity that is much needed during these uncertain times.

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Anxiety treatment is available, and it can be a big help in dealing with the stress associated with financial worries. Currently, all my therapy sessions are conducted virtually. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to know more. Together, we can explore how you can manage the anxiety caused by your financial situation and what you can do to move forward.