Holiday Money Anxiety & Financial Stress: How to Stay Calm This Christmas

Christmas is an expensive time of the year. Holiday money anxiety and financial stress can cause so much worry and tension that it stops you enjoying the season fully.

Christmas should be a time of joy, celebration and connection. But December may only be bringing you money anxiety and financial stress. On top of your usual monthly spending, there are presents, social occasions, extra expenses and more on food and drink. It can all overshadow the festive spirit.

That’s not to say we should all be like Scrooge at the start, where he was filled with misery and was miserly. Nor do we have to be like Scrooge after the ghosts had visited him where he was splashing the cash like nobody’s business. You still need to work within your means. But between gifts, social commitments, travel, food and household costs, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

If you already experience anxiety, then financial pressures can amplify symptoms. For many people I work with here in Ely and Newmarket, Christmas can magnify existing anxieties.

You may struggle with racing thoughts and overthinking. You may panic or dread dealing with accounts, payments and money matters. There can be sleepless nights worrying about finances and expenses. Some people experience guilt, regret or are self critical about spending, others feel trapped or helpless. And, of course, some try to ignore their anxiety, avoid dealing with it and delay things until the credit card bill arrives in January.

When it comes to money matters, you might get all the typical symptoms of anxiety. You can get a tight chest thinking about money and finances, and a sense of overwhelm from the pressure to buy gifts, attend events or host other people. Money anxiety is common, particularly at this time of year. You can feel out of control of your own thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

If Christmas is causing money anxiety then hypnotherapy and some practical strategies can help you manage anxiety, deal with financial stress and regain a sense of calm this festive season.

 

What is Money Anxiety?

Money anxiety is not just about the numbers in your bank account. It’s the emotional and physical response triggered by financial pressure.

At Christmas, it is easy for your anxiety around finances to spiral.

There can be social and family pressure to spend. You can feel that you should spend more than you are comfortable with. If family triggered anxiety is also an issue, that pressure can feel intensified (see: Family Triggered Anxiety at Christmas)

You might struggle with comparisons with others. Social media makes it easy to believe that everyone else is buying fantastic gifts, going out and having fun and enjoying a picture perfect Christmas time. Comparisons quickly fuel anxiety and overwhelm. Anxiety and low self esteem can contribute here. Remind yourself that people are showing you what they want to show you. Don’t compare their outside show with what you are experiencing inside.

Christmas brings a loss of your usual routine. This can be unsettling and create stress. If you’ve been struggling with festive exhaustion and overwhelm then your ability to cope with financial stress will naturally decrease (have a read here: Festive Exhaustion and Overwhelm).

It can also be a time of emotional spending. You feel anxious and stressed and so spend to get a quick moment of relief. But once the hit wears off, your money anxiety returns. You can also feel emotionally driven to spend by not wanting to upset others and wanting everything to be perfect.

It all adds up to feeling panic when considering finances, bills and how you’ll cope once the festive season is over. You might feel guilty about spending now and have a fear of disappointing loved ones. You might resort to coping mechanisms such as alcohol and overeating, or even more spending, as you try to handle your emotions. You overthink, catastrophise and feel anxious. It puts a cloud on your mood and over Christmas.

These emotional and psychological reactions are exactly the patterns that hypnotherapy can help with, rather than financial advice.

If you are struggling with anxiety, there is more about how to get support here: Anxiety Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket.

 

Why Money Anxiety Feels So Overwhelming

Anxiety about money is linked to your beliefs and associations about money and what it means. There can be elements of safety, control, responsibility, future uncertainty and status.

When you feel anxious, your mind seeks to protect you from the perceived threat. You overthink, imagine worst case scenarios and can become hyper aware of potential financial ‘dangers’.

As well as scanning for potential threats, you get all the physical symptoms of anxiety as you prepare to tackle things. You may notice a tight chest, stomach issues, restlessness, racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating and an overwhelming sense of dread. You may be able to distract yourself with festive activities for a while, yet in any quiet moment or when there is any mention of money, you get that pang or rush of anxiety.

If money anxiety is leaving you unable to switch off, relax and sleep then take a look at this related article: December Sleep Anxiety.

 

How Hypnotherapy Helps Reduce Money Anxiety

Hypnotherapy helps you to calm anxious feelings and interrupt unwanted thoughts. You start feeling more calm and in control over your thoughts, feelings, actions and reactions. When you feel calmer, you can think more clearly, make better decisions and stop your mind spiralling into worry. You experience less anxiety and are able to deal with any stray thoughts and feelings that arise without them escalating. In essence, you feel better and better in yourself.

Hypnotherapy can help you:

• Calm anxiety quickly
• Reduce financial overthinking
• Feel more calm and in control
• Break emotional spending habits
• Build confidence and resilience for January

Hypnotherapy helps you break the mental thinking loops that keep you stuck. You feel calmer, more able to handle money related issues and more positive for the future. You can feel calmer and more prepared for the New Year.

 

Practical Ways To Reduce Money Anxiety this Christmas

Like all anxiety, money anxiety is all about your own thoughts, feelings and behaviours. You absolutely should draw upon budgeting and financial/money management advice but here we are talking about the emotional and psychological side of financial stress.

Alongside hypnotherapy for anxiety, here are a few simple steps to take the edge of those unwanted thoughts and feelings:

1. Notice your early anxiety signals

Anxiety usually starts to creep up more and more. Common early indicators include worrying about the ‘what ifs’, checking your bank balance repeatedly, avoiding looking at money issues altogether or feeling your body tense when costs and finances are mentioned.

The more you can identify your own personal warning signs, the earlier you can take action. It is far easier to take back control by using strategies and techniques sooner, before your anxiety spikes and spirals.

 

2. Grounding before Spending Decisions

This can be particularly helpful if you are feeling stressed, rushed or overwhelmed. When we feel anxious, it all becomes about action and doing things rather than thinking clearly and calmly (you may find this helpful too: Mindfulness for Anxiety & Stress During Festive Chaos).

By grounding yourself, being in the present and feeling more calm and balanced, you can think clearly and make better decisions.

Try this:

• Pause and put your feet flat on the ground
• Inhale slowly for 4
• Exhale slowly for 6
• Repeat for 8-12 breaths

You are calming yourself, resetting the stress response and giving yourself time to think more clearly.

 

3. Create a ‘Calm Spending Boundary’

We aren’t talking about budgeting, we’re talking about having a calm boundary.

Ask yourself, ‘What amount lets me enjoy Christmas without creating January money anxiety?’

When you choose from calmness, decisions feel empowering rather than stressful. You are working backwards from your boundary rather than moving forward and spending without clarity.

You can also look at related boundaries such as agreeing on gift budgets with others, choosing time based or hand made gifts or reminding yourself that it is the thought and intention, not the pounds and pence, that really matter. Boundaries protect your mental health and prevent money anxiety from escalating into panic or emotional overwhelm.

 

4. Use the 24 Hour Rule

Is impulse buying an issue for you? You walk into a shop, or scroll online, and see something. Suddenly you want it more than anything else you have ever wanted anything ever. Whether it is for you or a gift, that emotion directs your decision making. It can easily lead to guilt, regret and anxiety later.

If you are tempted to impulse buy online, add it to your basket or save it, wait at least 24 hours, reassess when you feel calmer and can make a more informed decision. Adding this delay and allowing thoughts and feelings to settle can be one of the most effective ways to reduce anxiety.

 

5. Calm Your Anxiety

The more stressed, tired and jaded you get, the more likely you are to make poor decisions that lead to money anxiety and financial stress.

Away from all the shopping, socials and festivities, find some moments for you to relax. You can use one of my downloads or get a copy of my free relaxation hypnosis audio: Hypnosis Downloads 

 

Hypnotherapy for Anxiety and Stress

If you find that financial stress or money anxiety is affecting your sleep, mood, or daily life, hypnotherapy can help you.

You can lower your anxiety, think more clearly, improve your sleep, reduce emotional spending and feel more mentally calm through the festive season. you can tackle the emotions and overthinking around money and finances.

You absolutely can feel more calm, clear and in control. If you’d like help easing your anxiety, improving sleep, or reducing overwhelm this festive season, I’m here to help.

Get in touch to book your free consultation in Ely, Newmarket or online.

To your health and happiness,

Dan Regan

Anxiety Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

 

Find out more about anxiety hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket: Anxiety Hypnotherapy

Could you use some help to overcome panic attacks at Christmas? Struggling with anxiety, stress, worry and fear and need some help? Find out how I can help with a Complimentary Anxiety Hypnotherapy Strategy Session. Learn more here: Appointments

Find out what hundreds of other people have said after their anxiety hypnotherapy sessions with Dan: Hypnotherapy Testimonials

And check out these popular and powerful hypnosis downloads that can start helping you right away with anxiety, confidence and more: Hypnosis Downloads