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Stress and Money

 
All of us suffer stress due to money. Contrary to popular belief, stress and money even affects those with plenty of money occasionally. That would be an easy conclusion to miss when you are trying to figure out how to make the mortgage payment. There's no question, of course, that those with bigger debts often worry about them proportionally more, and not necessarily just about their mortgages.

They don't have fewer worries, just different ones - instead of stressing over making the house payment they are likely to be worried about investment decisions, untrustworthy money managers or other similar problems. If they have enough, all kinds of problems can ensue -- security, publicity, and legal problems among them. Stress and money problems of the rich are proabably the kind of problems we'd probably; they wouldn't necessarily agree.

The point is that stress and money issues are often stressful to everybody. However, this does not necessarily have to be a source of stress or unhappiness. Unlike now, in the past, most people were very happy with little money. And the majority of even the poorest of the poor in the US live even better than the kings and emperors of 300 years ago.

While it would be too much to say that 'everything is relative,' one should keep one's perspective.

Stress and money worries can be kept in proportion. Being stressed is totally different from being concerned. The result is stress when a person believes there is no way out of the situation they must fix. Both sides of that dilemma can be changed, though.

Life often presents choices that may not be pleasant. Passive stoicism is not the only option, however. The very act of making the effort to cope can actually be beneficial in its own right.

Mental and physical struggle both help in the effort to work off natural hormones that are caused during stressful times. Effort reduces passivity, which is an essential part of depression. When one overcomes a challenge in life, one gains the ability and knowledge to actually achieve its goal. Achieving your goal can reduce stress when facing problems in the future.

The general comments above apply more specifically to stress and money problems dueto debt. Millions of people get into situations of having excessive debt every year. There are more ways to incur debt than ever before, most notably credit cards. However, millions also become debt free.

Family arguments involving money are one of the most frequent sources of stress. Conflict is inevitable when any two people have to decide how to divide limited resources. But, that conflict does not have to lead to stress. All these things contribute greatly to stress reduction: realism, a long view, readiness to compromise, and empathy for how others think can solve stress and money problems.

Putting aside some money for the occasional whim can help. Indulge yourself a little now and then for a little release, as it rarely leads to large losses.

First you have to have enough cash to ensure your basic needs, which most do, and then the rest is optional. Don't stress over that.