Recession-proof your health

2. Identify what causes you stress and make a plan

Review your finances and note which areas are causing you stress. List ways you can trim spending and better handle your money. Make sure you budget for travel, food and other expenses. Write up a financial plan and review it regularly.

3. Examine how you handle financial stress

Beware of negative behaviour such as smoking, drinking, gambling or fighting with your spouse. Get help if needed.

4. View problems as opportunities

Realise that blowing your salary at the shops doesn't bring happiness. Explore ways to simultaneously save money and boost physical and mental health such as walking, biking, cooking and having a family game or story night.

Learn how healthy behaviour can save you money. If you're overweight, for example, losing as little as 10 per cent of your body weight may save you money on your life and health insurance.

5. Seek professional support

See if your employer or community offers services such as credit counseling, debt consolidation, financial planning, healthcare assistance, job placement or mental health counseling.

Health is wealth

When the economy is stressed, you need your health more than ever. Resist the urge to react to stress with unhealthy behaviour such as over-eating or excess drinking. Look for positive, inexpensive ways to manage stress:

Social support
Family and friends are more important than ever in tough economic times. Researchers have documented that isolation harms our health and social support improves it.

So ring up your brother or sister, connect to friends and check out support groups or online communities. You may also decide to join a neighbourhood organisation.

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