Dave Southby of Dave Southby Financial Planning shares his tips for beating financial stress

April is Stress Awareness Month and today we’re talking to Dave Southby about how financial stress can have an effect on people. Dave of Dave Southby Financial Planning is based in Swindon and shares his tips on the things that you can do if you are experiencing financial stress.

April is an important month for me and my business as its Stress Awareness Month. Stress is something which is a normal part of life but can become a problem if it is not managed effectively.

Financial stress in particular effects millions of people in the UK each year and can lead to a number of problems, including:

• Poor physical health - Financial stress can lead to problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity.
• Mental health problems - Financial stress can lead to problems such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
• Relationship problems - Financial stress can strain relationships with family and friends.
• Work problems - Financial stress can make it difficult to focus at work and can lead to job loss.

As a business owner, I’ve also felt the effects of having financial stress and the impact it can have in your day-to-day life.

If you are experiencing financial stress, there are a number of things you can do:

• Talk to someone - Talking to a trusted friend, family member, or profession can help you to deal with your feelings of stress.
• Make a budget - Creating a budget can help you to track your spending and make sure that you are not overspending. You can then use this to start putting together a plan.
• Cut back on unnecessary expenses - If you are struggling to make ends meet, you may need to cut back on unnecessary expenses, such as eating out or takeaways.
• Get help from a debt counsellor - If you are struggling with debt, you may want to get some advice. There are a number of free advice options available including through Citizens Advice and the National Debtline.
• Seek professional help - If you are struggling to cope with financial stress, you may want to seek professional help from medical professional. A therapist can help you to deal with the emotional aspects of financial stress and can also provide you with coping mechanisms.

For me Stress Awareness month is important because it raises awareness of the most common mental health condition in the UK. Financial stress is a common problem, and we all feel stress, but if you feel it’s getting too much, there are many resources available to help you. If you are struggling, don't hesitate to reach out for help and speak to someone.

For more information about Dave and how he can help you visit https://partnership.sjp.co.uk/partner/davesouthby