Stress. It’s something that we have all experienced at one time or another. Whether it is work, family, finances, or life in general we all have things that cause of emotions, tensions, and stress levels to rise. While this is a natural response in the body, experiencing high levels of stress over a prolonged period of time isn’t healthy. A recent article online states that it can lead to serious health conditions such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and high blood pressure; among other things.

To help relieve some of the stress in your life there are a few things that you can do. First consider what is causing you stress and whether or not those items can be removed from your life. Maybe cut back a little at work, create a budget to help manage your finances, or distance yourself from high-maintenance people. Eating a well-balanced diet, getting a full night’s sleep, plenty of exercise and games, and maybe even a specific women’s or mens health supplements can help you reduce stress as well as help your body stay healthy when you do have stress. Lastly consider taking a vacation. We all need to get away from time to time. Planning a relaxing vacation your favorite destination could be just what the doctor ordered.

According to the American Psychological Association, the number one cause of stress in the US is money.  It’s also one of the biggest sources of conflict between couples. Money stress can eat away at self-esteem, destroy marriages, and acerbate physical illnesses.  In short, it needs to be reduced by whatever means necessary and one of the best ways to reduce money stress is financial planning.

The heart of most financial stress is ignorance.  Knowing there is a problem without knowing the extent of the problem is stressful. Attempting to deny that a bill is due or ignoring financial priorities in favor of immediate gratification is stressful.  Walking around wondering how to pay for a major bill without knowing how much money is in a given bank account is stressful.

Sitting down and getting an accurate picture of current finances is the easiest way to eliminate a significant percentage of financial stress.  Knowing where the money is, where it needs to go, and where it actually goes is only the first step in creating a financial plan.

Setting financial goals, i.e., making decisions about what’s financially important, is the next step.  Studies prove that uncertainty is stressful while making a decision, even a bad one, helps alleviate that stress.  So the simple act of deciding where money should go and making a plan of how to achieve goals will reduce one’s stress levels considerably. Social media can be helpful and you can follow financial experts on sites like Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.

Now comes the hard part: following through on that financial plan.  A solid financial plan will require sacrifices in the present to serve future goals. It may involve making hard decisions about priorities and disappointed self, spouse, or even children.  However, staying disciplined and sticking to the plan will provide twofold rewards. The first is the self-confidence that comes from commitment and discipline. That confidence and the positive feelings that go along with it will further reduce stress.  Secondly, actually achieving goals, however small, builds self-esteem and may even release endorphins — the brain chemicals that elevate mood and release stress.

The old saying that success is the best revenge could be rewritten: success reduces stress — and financial planning leads to financial success.

Information provided by Money Mutual