Taking care of your financial health goes hand-in-hand with taking care of your mental health.
When was the last time you checked in with your financial health?
There is a big emphasis on taking care of our mental health by destressing, relaxing, and other healthy habits to contribute to a healthy mental and emotional state. Something that is less often discussed is our financial health yet ironically, worries about money are often on our minds.
Have you ever considered what it means to take care of your financial health?
Neglecting your financial health can have significant consequences on your mental health in the long run. Ignoring past-due medical bills, overspending on credit cards, maxing out your credit limit, and more unhealthy habits can create a snowball effect. Past-due medical bills risk going to a collections agency and ultimately impact our credit negatively, while unpaid credit card bills will accrue interest that must be paid later. When a person is very deep in debt, he/she may feel that the money woes are too daunting to ever climb out of.
Due to the overwhelming mental load finances can cause, a person might choose to avoid financial responsibilities altogether because the task appears too frightening to deal with. Clearly, living in this constant state of anxiety and fear will take a toll on your mental health.
I know, I’ve been in this situation before, overspending to the point that I was afraid to even check my credit card statement.
Although I knew this was a problem that needed to be addressed, it seemed too difficult and anxiety-inducing to face. I spent a lot of time avoiding my financial problems, and at times I found myself spending more when I was under a lot of stress.
If you have ever found yourself in this situation, I hope the lessons I’ve learned from my experience can be helpful to you. I’ve discovered that one of the best ways to build good financial habits is to break things down into smaller steps. Taking care of your financial health is going to be a lifelong journey. This is why it is important to start saving early and developing good financial habits now.
Here are some tips to start looking after your financial health today:
Write down realistic financial goals for the next month
I would strongly recommend using the SMART goals method (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) to help organize priorities.
Track your spending
Try creating a spreadsheet with a goal of how much to save or spend each month, and remember to reward yourself every time you accomplish a goal!
Ask for support or reach out to trusted friends/family members
Seek help from a financial advisor, or a therapist to help deal with the stress brought on by your finances. Alternatively, reach out to friends/family and ask them to hold you accountable to your goals. It can be extremely helpful to incorporate outside support. You are not alone!
Download the Flourish App for a fun way to start saving
Flourish makes saving fun! Build your savings and invest in your financial future while playing games and accumulating rewards!
Flourish is a company that truly cares about your mental health just as much as your financial health because Flourish understands that these two work together to improve your quality of life.
Picture how much better your overall mental health could be if you took steps to improve your financial health today. Imagine the sense of accomplishment you could feel once you pay off that credit card bill, or better yet when you are finally able to set aside the amount of savings that you planned to months ago.
Have fun creating a list of goals and don’t forget to add rewards each time you hit a new milestone. Think of these improvements toward your financial health as yoga for your mental health. If you need some help, don’t worry! Flourish Savings can help you achieve your financial goals.
