Looking After Your Mental Health In The Cost Of Living Crisis

The cost of living crisis has pushed money worries to the forefront of everyone’s minds.

A recent survey of over 550 people by Work Avenue saw 85% of respondents tell how the crisis is putting their household under financial pressure.

And these pressures are impacting on mental health, both in the community and the country as a whole. More than four in 10 of those taking part in the survey said the crisis has had a direct negative effect on their mental wellbeing.

Money worries can cause anxiety and stress, and even embarrassment or shame, with people often feeling helpless and not knowing where to turn for advice and support.

The issues have been exacerbated by coming so soon after the Covid-19 pandemic. For many, it does really seem like one disaster after another.

That’s why it has never been more important to look after our mental health, whether currently in work or actively seeking work.

Here Work Avenue – who have more than a decade of experience helping people with the self- confidence, well-being and mental health around work – give six quick tips

1) Reduce uncertainty

It’s the not knowing that can really increase our stress and anxiety.

Sit down and plan your budget, not just for the next week but for the whole year ahead.

It may seem difficult and daunting, but getting a realistic idea about your income and outgoings is important. By writing everything down you can get a true perspective of where you are with things.

It can also help you work out what you may be able to cut back and identify where financial assistance may be available.

2) Take stock of how you’re feeling

Often, we bottle our feelings up inside, especially when it comes to money worries. Make sure to give yourself space and time to express how you are feeling.

Please don’t keep things to yourself. Now is the time talk to other people about what you are experiencing – whether a partner, friend, one of our team at Work Avenue or a mental health professional.

3) Getting a good night’s sleep

Often, as we worry, a vicious circle is created. We lie awake worrying at night and then that lack of sleep makes everything feel so much worse.

There are some easy tips to follow such as creating a routine by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, trying to avoid sleeping in the daytime and, as hard as it may seem, leaving your phone and other electronic outside of the bedroom when you go to bed.

The Mental Health Foundation have a great guide to getting a good night’s sleep, which you can read here  https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-sleep-better).

4) Take a breath

We mean this both literally – breathing exercises such as those found on the NHS website can help to calm anxiety and panic – and figuratively.

It’s always good to reflect on what makes you feel happy and fulfilled, especially when things seem lost or hopeless.

One idea may be to write out a list of your skills, qualities and achievements, both personally and professionally, and take a moment to celebrate them.

5) Speak to your employer

Employers are well aware of the financial and mental health issues people are facing right now and some are offering extra support.

For those in work, don’t be afraid to ask. Speak to your boss, or contact your HR department, who will treat your questions with complete confidentiality. You could also ask your union or workplace representative for advice.

And, although companies are facing the same issues with bills and costs as individuals, now might be the time to ask for a pay rise – especially if your firm is doing well or you are in a period of high performance.

6) Come and see us

At Work Avenue, we often meet people at their lowest point, for example after being made redundant or seeing a business fail, and it’s our job to guide them to the next step in their careers and businesses. That is why we take the mental health of our clients so seriously.

All our employment and business advisers have undergone mental health training and we treat everyone we meet sensitively and in strictest confidence.

We know no two people are the same and that’s why our service is bespoke, with advisers able to offer one-to-one guidance and support before, during and after their job search.

If you would like support – whether it’s planning and applying for a new job or working out

how to adapt your business in these times – please do get in touch by emailing [email protected]

Work Avenue are Laurel Leaf directory members.