Financial troubles are among the leading causes of stress, but it’s important that you realise the stress, anxiety and depression you may feel regarding these are perfectly natural and aren’t something you should seek to cure overnight.

That said, if you don’t qualify for a debt write off and are still struggling to cope with the psychological distress of debt, this can be a significant challenge to overcome. There are techniques and changes you can make to help lessen the burden.

This article looks at healthy ways in which you can cope with your debt and reconnect with your family and friends.

Keep active

It can be tempting to stay in a rut when you are in debt. You may even find yourself withdrawing from friends and family. It’s important to keep in contact with people. This doesn’t mean spending money in bars or nights out but can simply be an occasional message or a phone call. Staying physically active is also vital. Downloading a fitness app and going walking or running around your local area is a cost-effective way to stay in shape.

Don’t be ashamed to ask for support

Avoiding your financial troubles and waiting for a court summons isn’t a healthy way to deal with your debt. Look online or contact debt charities to seek advice on how best to proceed with your financial issues. Also, reach out to family and friends and make them aware of your situation. Most of them will understand why you can’t afford to meet them for meals and days out.

Seek medical help

If you find your mental state deteriorating and family and friends are struggling to help you, then you may need to seek professional help. The NHS recommends contacting your GP after a few weeks if you have no change in your psychological symptoms. They can then advise you on psychological therapy services in your area. However, if you are feeling extremely low and suicidal, it’s crucial that you seek help immediately. The Samaritans operate 24/7 and you can call them at any time of the day.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and fully self-aware. It’s an exercise in not choosing to allow the things in our life to overwhelm us. Mindfulness is perfect for those suffering from stress as it brings awareness to our current senses and grounds us in the present. There is research that suggests mindfulness can restructure parts of your brain which can make this process a habit and part of your daily life.

Make a list of the positives

While financial debt can feel completely overwhelming and feed into a lot of areas of your life, there are always some positive things in life you can count on. The best way to highlight these is to create a list to remind yourself of these. It can be simply your family or something specific a friend said to you. Referring to this list at your lowest points can give you the much-needed boost to persevere.