5 Tips for Dealing with Anxiety Brought on by the Economy

I cannot say how much tip number 4 can help. There are so many people who just do not have the background or experience to deal with their finances, and having someone on the outside who is completely objective can certainly help. It is important to do research before choosing who to talk to, however, as there are always professionals who are only interested in collecting fees as opposed to truly helping and educating others. I speak from experience because I have had many people, not only clients, who have had a difficult time finding a professional who will really listen rather than jumping into an action plan blindly. Finding someone who will take the time to fully understand all of the circumstances that lead to a person’s current situation is key since without understanding these events, no professional can ever make a fully informed and individualized plan of action.

I couldn’t agree more, Miranda. That is exactly the way I operate my own business. I only use a fee structure based on either an hourly rate or a per-project basis, dependent on the type of engagement and the client’s preference. I’ve even had consultations and plain conversations with people that called based on my website or blog posts without ever charging a penny. Personally, I believe that people and building relationships based on trust are more important than charging for any little thing I can so I understand exactly what you are saying.

I was watching some expert on TV and she was talking about the importance of exercise. She was saying that our genetics program us to have a burst of adrenalin when we feel threaten. Which totally makes sense. But she was saying that that is designed to make us fight. For example, if an animal attacks you, you feel threatened, you get adrenalin and fight them off.

But when you are watching the stock market drop, you still feel threatened. You are watching everything you worked hard for go down the drain. You still that boost of adrenalin but there isn’t anything to fight. You can’t fight the stock market, or the politicians, or the news. That makes you feel anxious, panicked. You have a biological need to DO SOMETHING!

Working out gives you something to do with all that adrenalin. It moves it through your system and you will feel calmer.

Just wanted to pass that on. It really made the whole exercise thing click for me when I heard that.

Glad you think so, Miranda. It’s particularly difficult due to the stigma attached to the concept of “financial advisor”. I’ve read some pretty harsh views on the subject, but I keep trying to use both my blog and company website to be as transparent, upfront, and informative as possible in the hopes that people will take advantage of these types of services to prevent getting into trouble financially.