The cost of living has been on the rise for quite some time now, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. In fact, in some cases it seems to be speeding up! This is causing a lot of stress and anxiety for people all over the world, as they struggle to make ends meet. Not only is this putting a lot of financial stress on people, but it’s also taking its toll on their mental health.
In this blog post, we will take a look at how rising prices are affecting our mental health, and discuss some ways to cope with the stress of living in an expensive world.
How is the cost of living crisis affecting our mental health?
One of the main ways that rising prices are affecting our mental health is by putting a lot of financial stress on us. Many people struggle to make ends meet, and constantly worry about how they will cover their monthly expenses. This can take a toll on our mental health, leaving us feeling anxious and stressed out.
In addition to this, the cost of living can also impact our mental health by making it difficult for us to get access to the things we need. For example, if prices keep rising and wages don’t, we may not be able to afford healthy food or adequate healthcare, which can increase our risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.
By understanding how this affects different mental health conditions we can raise awareness, understanding and look for the right support.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is one example of a mental health condition that can be impacted by the rising cost of living. This is because individuals with PTSD often struggle to find work and make ends meet, which can exacerbate their symptoms and increase their risk of developing other mental health conditions as well.
To cope with the stress of living in an expensive world, it is important to seek support and focus on self-care. This may include practicing mindfulness and meditation, engaging in healthy distractions like exercise or social activities, and reaching out to friends or family for support when you need it. Additionally, it is important to advocate for policies that will address the rising cost of living and ensure that everyone has access to vital resources like healthcare and a stable
Download our free info guides for more information on PTSD:
– Childhood Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
– PTSD in the Military and Veterans
Depression
Another mental health condition that is impacted by the rising cost of living is depression. Individuals with depression may experience symptoms such as feelings of hopelessness and despair, low energy, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.
One way to cope with the stress of living in an expensive world if you are struggling with depression is to seek professional help. This may include speaking to a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist about your symptoms and finding strategies that can help you manage them more effectively. You may also find it helpful to connect with support groups or online communities that can provide you with additional resources and encouragement as you work through this difficult time. Additionally, it is important to practice self-care by making sure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in activities that bring you joy. With the right support and tools, it is possible to manage depression and live a fulfilling life despite the rising cost of living.
Looking to find out more about depression?
Shawmind’s CPD accredited Understanding Depression course will teach you about what depression is, how it affects people, how it can be managed and how you can support someone struggling.
Anxiety
As the cost of living rises, so too does anxiety levels in individuals who already suffer from anxiety. Individuals with anxiety may experience symptoms such as racing thoughts, increased heart rate, trouble sleeping, and tense muscles.
One way to cope with the stress of living in an expensive world if you are struggling with anxiety is to focus on self-care. This may include practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, engaging in regular exercise or other physical activity, and staying connected to friends and family. Additionally, it can be helpful to seek professional support from a therapist or counselor who can offer you additional tools and strategies for managing your anxiety.
By taking the time to look after yourself both physically and emotionally, it is possible to cope with the challenges of living in an expensive world and find joy and fulfilment despite the rising cost of living.
Shawmind’s Understanding Anxiety course will teach you about what anxiety is, how it affects people, how it can be managed and how you can support someone struggling.
OCD
The rising cost of living can also impact those with OCD. Individuals with OCD may experience obsessions and compulsions related to money, spending, or saving that can be incredibly disruptive and stressful.
One way to cope with the stress of living in an expensive world if you are struggling with OCD is to seek professional support from a therapist or counselor. This may include developing coping strategies for your specific obsessions and compulsions, learning how to manage your symptoms more effectively, and using cognitive-behavioral therapy to learn new ways of thinking about your condition. Additionally, it can be helpful to connect with support groups or online communities that can provide you with additional resources and encouragement as you navigate living with OCD in an increasingly expensive world. With the right help and tools, it is possible to manage your OCD and live a fulfilling life despite the rising cost of living.
Want to learn about what OCD is, how it affects people, how it can be managed and how you can support someone struggling? Shawmind’s Understanding OCD course will give you an introduction to OCD , ideal for anyone with OCD or anyone who supports others with OCD including parents, teachers, and employers.
Eating Disorders
The rising cost of living can also contribute to individuals developing eating disorders. Individuals with an eating disorder may experience symptoms such as bingeing and purging, excessive exercising, or extreme dieting in order to control their weight or shape.
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, it is important to seek professional support from a qualified therapist or counsellor. This may include developing strategies for managing your symptoms more effectively, learning how to take care of yourself in healthy ways, and using cognitive-behavioural therapy to address the underlying causes of your disorder. Additionally, it can be helpful to connect with support groups or online communities that can provide you with additional resources and encouragement as you navigate living with an eating disorder in an increasingly expensive world. With the right help and tools, it is possible to manage your eating disorder and find happiness and fulfilment despite the rising cost of living. Interested in learning more about eating disorders?
Our Understanding Eating Disorders course is ideal for an introduction to the topic or as a knowledge refresher course. This fully online course provides a level of understanding that can be applied to personal or work life situations.
Domestic Violence
The rising cost of living can also impact individuals who are experiencing domestic violence. As financial strain and stress increases, the risk of domestic violence may also increase.
If you are struggling with domestic violence, it is important to reach out for professional support. This may include finding a safe place to stay, working with an advocate or counselor to develop a safety plan, and developing strategies for coping with the ongoing stress and trauma related to domestic violence. Additionally, it can be helpful to connect with support groups or online communities that can provide you with additional resources and encouragement as you navigate living with domestic violence in an increasingly expensive world.
Substance Use
The rising cost of living can also make individuals more vulnerable to developing substance use disorders. With limited resources available and high costs associated with recovery programs and treatment, those struggling with addiction may find it difficult to access the support they need.
If you are struggling with a substance, use disorder, it is important to seek professional support from a qualified therapist or counsellor. This may include developing strategies for managing your symptoms more effectively, learning about addiction and the recovery process, and utilising evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioural therapy or motivational interviewing. Additionally, it can be helpful to connect with support groups or online communities that can provide you with additional resources and encouragement as you navigate living with a substance use disorder in an increasingly expensive world. With the right help and tools, it is possible to manage your addiction and find happiness and fulfilment despite the rising cost of living.
School Refusal
The rising cost of living can also impact individuals who are struggling with school-refusal behaviours. When the financial strain and stress increase, the risk of school avoidance or absenteeism may also increase.
If you know a young person struggling with school avoidance, it may be useful to consider mindfulness practices, or the “5 ways to wellbeing”. These are both techniques to minimise stress, anxiety and other stress-related behaviours and thought processes. Find out more here:
Mindfulness and its benefit to young people
If you are struggling with school refusal behaviours, it is important to reach out for professional support. This may include developing strategies for managing your symptoms more effectively, working with a counsellor or therapist to address the underlying causes of your school refusal behaviours, and utilising evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioural therapy. Additionally, it can be helpful to connect with support groups or online communities that can provide you with additional resources and encouragement as you navigate living
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