We want to talk about a topic that’s making headlines in every corner of the world – a recession. As it seems, many countries are taking a financial tumble. Everything is just so inflated. With a tighter budget and worries springing up from left and right, we know this might have increased your stress levels. After all, managing finances in a world in an economic downturn can feel like a nightmare.
But the good thing is that you’re not alone. We’re all in this boat together. It’s times like these when we truly appreciate the old saying, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. But getting going doesn’t mean going it alone. We’re here to navigate this time with you.
If you’re wondering how we can get through this together, well firstly, we think adopting simple, affordable and easy-to-do coping mechanisms might be the answer. These are all things we can do in the comfort of our own homes.
1. A Money Journal: Keeping a money journal might seem old school, but we believe it’s a practical way to track our expenses and plan a budget. Remember, the point is not to give you more to worry about, but to help you understand where your money is going and how to better manage it. Just give it a try, you might be surprised!
2. Healthy Living: It’s important not to overlook our physical and mental health during stressful times. We need to prioritise good nutrition and regular exercise most often than none. This isn’t just important for our bodies; they’re also good for our minds and spirits.
3. DIY Stress-Relief Activities: Instead of resorting to expensive stress relief activities, we think trying out DIY activities is the way to go, at least for now, until things get a bit more stable. You could consider taking a walk, cooking your favorite meal, or even sitting down to read a good book. If you don’t care for any of that, you can simply sleep. Sleep is one of the best stress relievers and thankfully, it’s relatively quite cheap. In most cases, it’s free.
4. Building Connections: We really need each other right now. In difficult times, one of the best things we can do is connect with the people around us. Even if you’re more introverted than others or socially distant, maybe you can pick up the phone and call a friend or family. A video call has a way of making someone feel closer to you. We find comfort in knowing that we’re not alone.
5. Find Joy in the Smallest Things: It’s easy for us to dwell and complain about the negative things. But if we create a mindset of gratitude, we believe that we’ll start to find joy in the smallest things. A good hack for this is keeping a gratitude journal or a gratitude jar. You have to find at least one thing to be grateful for everyday. And before you know it, you’re happier knowing that things could be worse but they’re not.
In the face of a recession, it can feel like our financial struggles are running our lives. But with patience, resilience, and the use of coping mechanisms we just mentioned, we can ease our stress and feel better. Remember, tough times never last, but tough people do.
Let’s keep in mind that no problem is permanent, including this recession. Just remember, the night is darkest before dawn. We’re all in this together.
Stay strong, stay hopeful, and most importantly, take care of yourself.
