Managing your finances can feel overwhelming. From rising living costs to unexpected expenses, financial stress can creep into our lives quickly, making it hard to focus, plan, and make clear decisions. But what if there were a way to manage that stress while building better financial resilience?
That’s the focus of our latest episode of the Smile and Save Podcast, where we’re joined by the Staff Wellbeing Team at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH). Together, we explore how mindfulness can help reduce financial stress and empower you to make better money decisions. Plus, you’ll learn easy, actionable mindfulness practices you can start using today.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment. While it sounds simple, our brains naturally gravitate towards replaying past events or worrying about the future. This focus on “what was” or “what might be” can make it hard to live in the now and experience joy in our daily lives.
The same thinking applies to money management. With so many pressing demands on our budgets, we often find ourselves consumed with “what’s next” financially. Mindfulness helps by grounding us in the present moment, allowing us to face challenges with a clearer and calmer mindset.
How financial stress affects decision-making
When we’re stressed about money, our bodies trigger the fight, flight, or freeze response, a survival mechanism that our ancestors relied on to face immediate threats. While we’re no longer fleeing predators, this physiological reaction still occurs when facing financial stress.
Physical changes like a racing heart, tensed muscles, and quicker breathing make it hard to focus or think rationally. These overwhelming feelings can lead to rushed decisions, avoidance, or even inaction when managing money.
Mindfulness, however, can help reset your nervous system into a “resting state,” reducing stress and improving clarity. This shift makes it much easier to tackle financial concerns, whether it’s budgeting, paying off debt, or planning for the future.
How to start practicing mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. It can be as simple as taking a few moments during your day to breathe deeply and focus on the present.
Here are a few actionable tips for incorporating mindfulness into your financial routine:
1. Take a pause before financial decisions
Before making a big financial choice, pause and focus on your breath. This practice helps calm your fight-or-flight response and equips you to approach your finances with a clearer mind.
2. Check in with your body
When reviewing your finances, pay attention to how your body feels. Are your shoulders tense? Is your chest tight? Use mindfulness techniques like deep breathing to relax these areas and stay present.
3. Create a dedicated mindfulness moment
Dedicate a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breathing. Reflect on your current financial situation without judgement, and remind yourself that every step you take, no matter how small, contributes to your long-term financial resilience.
4. Use gratitude to shift perspective
Cultivating gratitude can help you reframe how you view your financial situation. Take a mindful moment to appreciate the things you have and are able to do, no matter how small they may seem.
Guided mindfulness practice
Looking for a hands-on way to practice mindfulness? Our podcast episode includes a short, guided activity led by the Staff Wellbeing Team at NUH NHS Trust. This simple exercise is designed to bring clarity to your day, whether you’re managing stressful expenses, planning your monthly budget, or just need a moment to reset.
Be sure to tune in and try it out. You may be surprised by how much calmer and more focused you feel after!
- The information provided is for guidance and educational purposes only. Serve and Protect CU does not offer regulated financial advice. Please seek independent financial advice.
