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Stop Feeling Overstressed and Overextended

Sometimes money problems not only beget other money problems, but the negativity surrounding money can bleed into other areas of life. If you’re living so close to the margins, financially speaking, you might be feeling stretched to your limits; you might be experiencing heightened and prolonged levels of stress. Since Memorial Day is the unofficial kick off of summer, I think it’s a great time to evaluate some helpful ways to guard against feeling overextended and overstressed.

It’s Okay to Say “No”

Friends expect a lot out of us. And, in turn, we expect a lot out of friends. It’s important to remember that it is okay to say “no.” It’s perfectly fine to decline an invitation every once in a while. If you feel like you’re going to pull a Michael Douglas in Falling Down, it’s fine to cancel lunch on a friend now and then. The best part about this, too? You don’t have to give a reason. When I started bringing “no” into my vocabulary, I was stunned at how quickly I eliminated that feeling of being spread too thinly. In my life, a lot of stress comes from the obligations I place on myself in regards to my relationship with my friends. I forget that they care about my well-being, too.

Run Away

Every day, we’re being assaulted from all angles: our sons and daughters, husbands and wives, moms and dads, brothers and sisters, friends and bosses are all clamoring for our time, our input, our energy, and our attention. Sometimes, you need to take a break an escape from it all. Do it. Escape. Run away. (Just remember to come back.) At least once a week, develop a 20-minute ritual that pulls you out of the stress of your life. Find the time. You might have to tag it on to the beginning or the end of your day. This holiday from your day could entail you leaving your house and going to a café, a quiet restaurant, a bookstore or a spa. Don’t forget, though, that you have a built in escape hatch in your house, too: Your bathroom. Draw a bath or just go in there and shut the door. You’ll be amazed at how far away you’ll feel. Reward yourself. Replenish your spirit.

It’s important to develop your own routine and your own boundaries. But so many of us feel like we have a lack of control over our days. Unfortunately, this is a direct result of the choices we make. Set boundaries. Set barriers. Create rituals. Just try not to spend too much money in the process.