We have all said H-E-L-L-O to 2020, a new year and a much needed refresh after the hustle and bustle of the holidays. We’re also saying hello to some new year’s resolutions — new year, new you right?!? (insert eye roll here)If you’re anything like myself, you’ve probably already broken yours. And that’s okay. In this series we like to talk about resolutions, but we know that in reality, they can be tough to keep.

We believe it is SO important to make sure you’re looking out for number one: You! And we’re here to help make sure that happens by talking about wellness. Specifically how to deal with stress and one of the most relentless stressors of them all — money.

Thinking about money is stressful. And that’s not just a generalization. Money and financial debt is the second leading stressor for Americans. Short of winning the lottery or finding out that you have a distant relative with a large inheritance, alleviating your stress levels can start simple.

Budgeting and Cutting Costs

Of course, this seems like a fairly obvious answer to reducing financial stress, but hey — budgeting can be hard! Luckily, downloading a free app that does it for you isn’t.

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Mint is helpful in a variety of ways, especially when it comes to budgeting and figuring out where you can cut costs in spending, and forecasting for future sending.

There are many apps like it, but the when it comes to saving money, the most important step is the first one: Figuring out where it all goes. So whether you use an app like Mint or open up a spreadsheet on your computer, trust us when we say that you will start feeling better as soon as it’s all laid out and you can start playing with the numbers to see where they can start working for you.

Reducing bills can be tricky. Some services (like utilities) are crucial and impossible to eliminate. We feel the same way about a phone plan. Because nowadays, everyone needs a phone number. But the catch is that you don’t have to pay for one. With TextNow, you can sign up for a free local phone number and use it on any device over Wi-Fi. You’ll still be available to any family member, friend, or employer, but most importantly, your budget will start being available for the more important things in life.

Exercise

Kind of a “duh” suggestion at this point in time, but the facts remain. Exercise is known to boost endorphins and help relieve stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. Cardio can be hardio, but the benefits of exercising a few times a week, are proven to benefit your overall mental health. Our previous wellness blog post provides some great, free exercise apps — so you can cut the gym membership costs. That’s what we call lifting two dumbbells with one arm.

Meditation

Meditation promotes better sleep habits, reduced blood pressure, helps with inflammation and even some gastrointestinal issues.

There are many different ways to meditate, and if you’re a beginner you can start by setting some time in your day to sit down, close your eyes, soften your breathing and relax your mind. You can also find free meditation apps in both the Play Store and App Store!

For more tips on how to rock your resolutions — check out our previous articles in our “New Year” series: New Job, New You and Save Money in 2020.