Debt and Stress

[artemischild]

Hay all

following a discussion with some of the other forum posters we decided it would be a great idea to each week discuss areas around keeping yourself mentally health, so i thought there would be no better place to start than with 'Debt and Stress'

Each of these articles produced are all evidenced based and was part of a great mental health awarenss campaign!

Hope you find it usefull!

<center>Looking after your mental health
Financial insecurity and Stress what can you do

Mental health applies to everyone. It is about the way we think, feel and behave. It is about being able to manage the stresses of life and functioning well.</center>

It is well recognised that being in financial difficulty is stressful and can affect our mental health. This may be due to job insecurity, redundancy, or financial problems; that may result in getting further behind with bills and feeling as if there is no end in sight.
Unfortunately, stress has a number of unpleasant effects on the body, which can make it even more difficult for you to deal with your financial situation.

Some facts.......
One in four adults are living with a mental health problem
One in two adults with debts has a mental health problem, so you are not alone.
Addressing financial difficulties and solving problems will reduce stress and improve your health and wellbeing


Physical Symptoms of Stress
When stressed, your body undergoes a number of physical changes. These include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain*
• Digestive problems
• Excessive sweating
• Tiredness
• Tingling in hands and toes
• Headaches
• High blood pressure/dizzy
• Muscle pain and tension
• Sleep problems
• Weight loss or gain

*You should visit your GP if you experience chest pain as this may be a symptom of an under lying condition.

We may think and/or behave differently as well, such as

• Constantly worry
• Have difficulty concentrating
• Find thoughts racing
• Be more snappy and irritable
• Have difficulty relaxing
• Avoid situations
• Lost of interest in hobbies/socialising


Feeling like this can affect how well we solve problems. But there are ways to help yourself manage your symptoms and situation more positively and recover.

Relaxation techniques – such as breathing exercises, deep muscle relaxation, help to relax the body and mind. http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/relax

Problem solving techniques - explore solutions to problems to find the most appropriate way forward.

Talk about your feelings – with someone you trust, a friend or family member is a helpful way of dealing with set backs.

See what support you can access in the community. When feeling not as mentally healthy as usual and feeling under pressure your community, and services in it, are a great resource!!

Hope this has been helpful and please feel free to discuss, add stories and talk about how you manage your stress level in relation to your financial difficulties!!

Best wishes
Drew

[Jan01]

Thanks for that inoformation Drew. Very interesting and has answered a few of questions re my health.

Jan

[kallis3]

Good post, but can I suggest that you do it via a blog? Easier to follow and will last a lot longer than a thread will.

[Skippy]

I agree, this would make an good blog and will also be seen by some people who might not necessarily look on the forum itself.

Posts drop down the list in time, whereas blogs don't tend to.

[kallis3]

I think I mentioned this before - a blog is much better for a subject like this.

As Skippy says - threads disappear but blogs don't and comments can be made on there.

They are very easy to set up.

[Julie]

Totally agree with the contents and its something that has been mentioned in posts/blogs previously.

Hope you start a blog...xx

[kallis3]

You can put a link to your blog in your signature so people know it's there.

I found doing a blog to be really therapeutic and it does last longer than a thread does.

[Skippy]

Also threads can be sidetracked unintentionally, whereas a blog can't.

[kallis3]

Too true Skip!