April 2018 is Stress Awareness Month, and here at PayPlan we understand how stressful managing your finances can be, particularly if you find yourself struggling to make up payments.

It is important to understand stress, the causes and the triggers in your personal and professional life.

Emma’s top tip for dealing with stress:

‘Good physical health is important to help manage stress effectively. Eating enough fruits and vegetables, cutting down on refined sugars and caffeine can help your body carry out its normal functionality and help to manage stress.’

‘I love spending an evening in the kitchen cooking! Good healthy food really helps to perk you up’

‘By getting into an evening routine, and ensuring a regular night’s sleep this can also help you to manage stress. It allows the body to repair and allows your brain to process information from the day. If you struggle to fall asleep before bed, it is important to take time to wind down and switch off.’

‘I love to wind down by talking a long walk with the dog when I get home from work!’

Sam’s top tip for dealing with stress:

‘It’s a well-known fact that exercise reduces stress! When your body experiences stress, the natural reaction is to start shallow breathing. So practicing mindfulness and learning some deep breathing techniques helps to give you automatic relief.’

‘I ensure I incorporate playing football in my weekly schedule – it really helps me to wind down.’

‘Be positive too. It can be hard when you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, but by putting a smile on your face and taking some time out for yourself can help combat those initial feelings of stress.’

Coping with financial stress

If you are struggling with money worries as the cause of your stress, it can be difficult to switch off and forget about it. It can often lead to sleepless nights, and a lack of concentration during the days.

Stress can manifest itself in many different ways, emotional or physical. But it is important to talk to someone about what you’re going through.

Here at PayPlan, we help people every single day to manage their finances, educate them on lifelong money skills and offer free debt management plans and solutions depending on your circumstances.

If you’re suffering with money worries, PayPlan offers free confidential debt advice for anyone who needs it. Contact us on 0800 716 239 or visit payplan.com