21 Tips for Keeping your Mental Health in Check on Your Debt Free Journey

Unpopular opinion: IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT STATE YOUR FINANCES ARE IN IF YOU ARE IN SHAMBLES 

While it may seem ridiculous to some of you, you CAN be in a positive mental space while paying off truckloads of debt (or ya know, any amount you have!) So how can you keep your mental health on point while also tackling your financial goals?!

1.     Acknowledge how you’re feeling, don’t just blow it off.

2.    Take time for yourself by doing things you enjoy.

3.    Give yourself breaks! In the day, week, month, whatever! If you love the calendar on your phone, schedule breaks into your calendar so you’re more likely to remember and take them.

4.    If people around you voice concerns, listen to them! Haters are really gonna hate, but especially someone that is close to you, take what they say seriously.

5.    Cook yourself a healthy meal! You can’t function at your best when you’re constantly feeding yourself quick junk.

6.    On the same note, try meal prepping! Plan healthy meals and snacks and prepare a bunch at one time so you have it for the rest of the week.

7.     If you’re feeling uber stressed, take a hot shower! Or a bath!

8.    Every morning write down 5 things you’re grateful for. This can change your mindset and outlook on your entire day!

9.    Pay attention to who you’re comparing yourself to and when you’re doing it. You actually CAN unfollow that person on Instagram if they are making you feel crappy about yourself. No justification necessary!

10. Focus on your progress, not just on how far you have left to go.

11.  Budget for fun things! Set aside money in your budget to go to dinner with your friends or see a movie. Remember, you can have anything, but not everything!

12.  With that being said, don’t say no to everything! You can do things! You are in control.

13.  …since you’re in control, say NO to the things you need to! If you can’t go out four times this week, no one that matters will really judge you. Know your limits and make smart choices!

14.  Pay attention to what stresses you out. Is your job wearing you out? Maybe it’s time to look at more enjoyable options! Whatever it is, when you figure it out, brainstorm ways to make the situation or thing less stressful.

15.  Move. Your. Body. 10/10 chances you will feel better if you are moving your body someway somehow on a consistent basis! Walk, run, bike. Do it with a friend for extra accountability.

16.  Make time for your friends. When you spend time connecting with those that make you feel supported and understood, it can be game changing. Schedule it ahead of time, so you have something to look forward to!

17.  Schedule free time each day. This could be twenty minutes to cook a nutritious breakfast for yourself, or making the commitment to not work for the last hour of your day. However you do it, take time for you!

18. Have a plan, but be flexible! If you know what you’re working towards and how you’re going to get there, it can help you keep going when times get tough and you’re not sure what comes next. BUT things will always change! Be flexible and keep in the back of your mind that your plans aren’t set in stone.

19.  Find small things to relieve stress during the day. Some ideas include getting up and walking around the office, using an essential oil diffuser at home, or closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths.

20.  Let go of your pride. If things aren’t feeling right in your body or mind, or if you’re struggling to regulate stress, talk to someone. Google “therapists in my area” and see where it takes you. Many sites let you search by insurance so you can be sure to find someone in-network. Sometimes communicating what we are going through with someone that doesn’t know the US US everyone else does, can be extremely comforting and helpful!

21.  Write affirmations on a post it note and tape it to your mirror! What we say is directly correlated to what we believe. A great way is to state that you already have whatever it is that you are working for. For example, “I constantly attract opportunities where I make money” or “I am confident and secure in who I am today”.

Side note: Your mental health can manifest in lots of different ways and these can be hard to spot when we aren’t looking for them. Paying off debt rigorously can be straight exhausting. You are more than your money. Yes, by taking care of your finances you’ll likely become mentally healthier (money stress is no joke!), BUT that doesn’t mean that you need to put the rest of yourself on the back burner. If you’re feeling some sort of way that isn’t normal for you, please don’t blow it off. Seek out someone that you trust, or even a doctor or therapist, and let them in on how you’re feeling.

How have YOU managed your mental health while paying off debt?!