Have you been made redundant recently or are you trying to cope with financial debt? These kinds of stresses often trigger anxiety and depression but it doesn’t mean you have a health disorder. David Richards, professor of mental health services research at the University of Exeter, shares his top tips with the NHS for coping with feeling low or anxious because of money worries.
Stay active
Keep seeing your friends, keep your CV up to date and try to keep paying the bills. If you have more time because you're not at work, take up some form of exercise – it can improve your mood if you're feeling low.
Face your fears
For example, if it looks like you're going into debt, get advice on how to prioritise your debts. When people feel anxious, they sometimes avoid talking to others. Some people can lose their confidence about driving or travelling. If this starts to happen, facing up to these situations will generally make them easier.
Don't drink too much alcohol
For some people with money worries, alcohol can become a problem. You may drink more than usual as a way of dealing with your emotions or just to fill time. But alcohol won't help you deal with your problems and could add to your stress.
Don't lose your daily routine
Get up at your normal time and stick to your routine. If you lose your routine, it can also affect your eating: you may stop cooking, miss breakfast because you're still in bed or eat snacks instead of having proper meals.