Staff Writer Elena Difiore
Stop right where you are! Put down the credit card and step away from the keyboard. Before you make that hasty purchase for an item you (most likely) don’t need, ask yourself, “Why am I making this purchase?” If you can’t come up with a logical, truthful response, then it’s time to face the music: you’re an emotional spender. Don’t worry–we’ve all fallen victim to emotional spending before. The best way to avoid emotional spending is to find healthy, non-monetary-related ways to de-stress. Lucky for you, we’ve already come up with some great de-stressors for you to try out the next time you feel the urge to splurge.
Exercise
This one’s a no-brainer. However, for many of us it can be difficult to stick with an exercise regime. That being said, it’s important to choose a physical activity that you enjoy and won’t tire of right away. The more you enjoy the activity, the greater positive effect it will have on your mood and the more likely you’ll be to stick with it. You don’t have to go all-out and purchase a gym membership and workout gear–that would completely ruin the point of de-stressing while saving money. According to Everydayhealth.com, something as simple as a 20-minute walk/jog around the block can result in up to 12 hours of improved mood. This is an option your wallet and your health will appreciate.
Get Outside
Nowadays you can do pretty much anything from the comfort of your home. Unfortunately, the convenience that technologies like the Internet and cellphones have provided has led some of us to become a lot lazier. It’s important to take time everyday to step away from the world web and get outside and experience the real world. Fresh air and sunlight can be a refreshing change of environment and help calm your mood. Try choosing a physical activity you can do outside and you’ll be able to benefit from the exercise as well as the environment.
Develop a Distraction
The best way to de-stress is to get your mind off of whatever is stressing you out. One of the easiest ways to distract yourself from your troubles is to choose a fun activity or game to focus on. Whether it’s a tough Sudoku puzzle or an intense round of Words with Friends, games help keep our minds off the true causes of our stress. The next time you’re tempted to pull out your debit card and start cruising eBay or Amazon, pull up a game of Solitaire or the daily crossword and take a timeout. You may find after you’re done you no longer have the craving to spend.
