It’s easier than you think to stop worrying about money.

With market volatility increasing I thought it was a good time to talk about worry.

For many people stress about money is constant – actually, according to one study about a third of Americans worry about money all the time. Wow, that must feel awful. Imagine if all that anxiety was funneled into something more productive? Think about the improvement in your financial decision making if you could lower the volume of financial angst.

Here are some ideas for how financial stress can be reduced, no matter what’s happening in the markets and the economy.

1. Focus on what is working well

I know you’ve heard all about the benefits of gratitude. But, do you actually focus on what you’re thankful for on a regular basis? There are lots and lots of studies showing the amazing power of gratitude. It’s easy to be nervous about your finances when markets are rocky or unexpected bills show up. Taking just a couple of minutes each day to put your attention on what is going well will help you to dial down the stress.

And here’s a short video on easy ways to incorporate more gratitude into your daily life.

2. Know your numbers

Burying your head in the sand will not make you feel better about your money. Go through the process of running the numbers on what it really takes to run your lifestyle. Knowing what you own (your assets) and owe (your liabilities) may actually help you feel less nervous. With this knowledge you can build a plan to make changes and make better informed decisions. Creating a values-based spending plan can help you to be more deliberate about where you spend your money.

3. Get support

People are super secretive when it comes to money. The problem with this is that they often don’t get the advice they need to make better financial decisions. Rather than go it alone, why not talk to a friend who can give you some perspective? Or, better yet, get professional advice. Your situation might be better than you think. Looking for a financial advisor? Ask a friend, your accountant or attorney for a referral. It’s a good idea to interview several advisors to better understand the services they provide, how they charge for their services, and to get a sense of whether or not they feel like a good fit.

4. Be a do-gooder

I know this may sound like a weird suggestion for reducing financial stress, but it works.

When you shift your attention to helping others – studies have shown that you boost your own happiness levels.

The dirty-little-secret to giving is that it feels great to the giver. If you are worried about a stressful situation in your financial life, doing a kind act for another may be just what you need to move forward.

5. Breathe!

When you are freaked out about money your ability to make good financial decisions is diminished. Having a contemplative practice such as meditation, walking in nature, etc. can give you some space between feeling nervous and finding a thoughtful response.

If you’re new to meditation, click HERE for some apps that might get you kick-started. Also a book I’ve loved that is really accessible even for beginners is Search Inside Yourself.

I’m currently enrolled in the mindfulness teacher training from The Search Inside Yourself Institute. I really love their program, especially for people in the business world. Stay tuned for more on this!

My wish for you is one of calm, clarity and prosperity.

Inhale, Exhale.