Protecting what matters also involves looking after your wellbeing. For many, this starts with ways to be physically healthy, but considering ways to support your mental and financial health are equally important.
Worrying about money is very common, and doesn't just affect people who are short of money or who have debts they find hard to manage. In fact, money worries can affect anyone, regardless of their financial wellbeing, and this can have an impact on mental health.
There are lots of signs to look out for, but here are a few of the most common behaviours that indicate that your relationship with money is affecting your health and wellbeing:
If money worries are affecting your health, you should seek help from a doctor, or qualified medical practitioner, as soon as possible. You can also try some of these healthy practices designed to protect your wellbeing:
Mindfulness is the practice of "focusing on one's awareness in the present moment", and it's increasingly used as a treatment for common mental health problems, such as stress, anxiety and depression.
These same principles are embedded in the practice of mindful spending, which is about consciously thinking about your spending habits, and being mindful of the association they have with your emotions. The idea is that if you question the motivation behind each purchase you make, you'll save money, and benefit your lifestyle and wellbeing at the same time.
If you want to give mindful spending a try, ask yourself these questions each time you're about to make a purchase:
Mindful spending is a great habit to get into and can help you to improve your relationship with money and become financially fit. You'll find plenty more help with ways to become financially fit here.
When considering ways to look after yourself, insurance policies are available that will protect both your physical and mental health. Health insurance policies differ widely, but can cover the cost of surgery and in-patient treatment, the cost of your stay in hospital, as well as out-patient treatment, appointments with specialists and consultants, and the cost of diagnostic or follow-up tests.
Some health insurance policies include provision for other medical support including dental care, eye care, physiotherapy, mental health support and pregnancy or maternity services.
