Are you also constantly burdened with your finances? Regardless of your financial situation, it's clear that money and mental health are closely related, but not in the way you might think.
Our money management is largely influenced by our emotions, including our mood. Overspending and impulse buying are common coping mechanisms for unpleasant feelings. Research also confirms that we are more likely to waste money when we are stressed.
Spending money gives her instant gratification, which triggers a rush of dopamine throughout the body. But when the effect of that hormone wears off, we're left where we started—just with some added guilt or stress. So how do you get out of this vicious circle and ensure financial peace?!
Build strong money habits
To begin with, be aware of your emotions, feelings. Before you head to the store or open a shopping app, stop. How do you feel? Are you hungry, lonely, angry, upset? Just tired? Knowing that wasting is just a response to discomfort will help you change this behavior.
Find other ways to feel good
At first, it will be difficult to break the impulse buying habit. But when you find that you're only shopping to cover up bad mood or negative emotions, it's time to consider other ways to achieve satisfaction.
Talking to a friend, attending a class, exercising, writing a journal, cleaning your home,... each of us has our own way. In the beginning, everything will be faster than you can, but soon you will learn that you can turn your mood around, without wasting money. Your brain will adapt to this as well.
Reward yourself on occasion
As with diets, severe self-deprivation does not last very long. Spartanly giving up on something you've loved for a long time won't get you very far. Trying to justify every euro you spend will only lead to anxiety. In your spending habits, it is therefore important to leave some room for occasional indulgence.
Just make sure you spend the money with purpose and in a way that aligns with your values. You can make it a personal rule to never buy anything impulsively. When something tempts you, wait at least one night, sleep and decide to buy only the next day.
