There’s a lot to be anxious about right now. For some families, it’s the fear of the unknown: when will you be able to see your loved ones again in person?
When will the days stop bleeding together? When will life get back to normal?
For many families, money is the chief source of stress. Maybe you’re out of work and don’t know when you’ll find another job. Maybe you’ve had loved ones lose their jobs. Maybe you’ve lost business because of the ongoing pandemic.
Financial stress can lead to a number of physical complications: think decreased levels of exercise, high blood pressure, and increased levels of adrenaline and cortisol, which can eat away at your digestive and immune systems. For many, it also leads to mental distress: anxiety, worry, and fatigue.
During these unknown times, it’s important to take care of yourself and do things that make you happy. One way to do that is to stick to a self-care routine. For example, if you’re stressed out about money (or really anything), play a game of self-care bingo.
Unlike a traditional Bingo game where you just need a row of five to “win,” try completing the entire card. Some tasks (like writing down five things you’re thankful for) are easier than others (like putting away Instagram and Facebook for the day).
Maybe you need a little motivation to continue to take care of yourself. We tend to get distracted fairly easily and lose track of what we care about. Sometimes all it takes is a little note of reassurance.
Check out these uplifting mantras. Cut them out and tape them to the walls around your house. Or, stick them to the refrigerator or your bathroom mirror — wherever it’ll best give you and your family a little nudge to think positively.
As much as you might not want to think about your finances during these tough times when you’ve lost a job or you’re facing budget constraints, it’s helpful to be honest with yourself and think logically about how you can get back on a healthy footing.
Track your family’s finances with this printable budget tracker.
Finally, exercise can be an excellent way to reduce stress, stay healthy, and distract your mind from any day-to-day worries, but you have to stick to a routine to keep yourself accountable.
Plan out your weekly exercise activities, with this Healthy Mind Tracker. How long they will last, whether you plan to sweat, and, most importantly, how you’ll reward yourself when you stick to your routine.
Download and print these self-care aides help you stay well and healthy when dealing with money stress or any other worrying aspect of these difficult times.
Also, check out our COVID-19 toolkit with many more wellbeing resources for your family.