Interesting facts about money stress
As founder of the Brain Wellness Spa, Terri Bowman has spent the past 13 years research and improving brain behaviour to help people overcome stress, unhappiness, depression, anxiety, worry, negative thoughts and thinking, money stress, sabotaging patterns of failure, trauma, insomnia, and to reach their full inner potential.
We asked Terri to explain how her research could relate to worries seniors typically have with money, and the things that can be done to help this issue.
What do you think is the main risks of money stress for senior Australians?
Money stress causes the brain to go into patterns of survival which changes the way people perceive their circumstances and future. It increases tension, worry, insomnia and fuels negative thoughts and thinking. It also triggers feelings of scarcity which alters beliefs about money which alters any security about what people have surrounding their nest egg and it causes the brain to believe that life is insecure and fearful. This then increases depression, anger, anxiety, moods, reactive behaviour and relationship stress. It also exacerbates unhappiness which causes negative beliefs and an unhealthy perception that life is difficult and challenging.
Retiring and enjoying life with freedom and flexibility is most people’s dreams when they start out in life so to reach retirement and have money stress is very challenging on emotions, thoughts and feelings. So if money stress is contributing to unhappiness then the brain will eventually go into a pattern of behaviour where it stops the thoughts of having a better life and it starts contracting so life can potentially become narrow and limiting.
What tips would you give senior Australians struggling to make ends meet?
If money stress has triggered genetic survival patterns of brain behaviour the brain immediately goes into contraction and fear become the dominate factor of survival. When someone is struggling to make ends meet they need their brain to be creative in the way it secures its future.
So you have to look at ways to expand your thinking about your circumstances and put some small steps in place to incrementally secure that day so you go to bed without the fear of not being insecure or vulnerable. The challenge we have is, that the brain creates the reality that people experience and if we think, feel and emotionalise a life with limited money the subconscious will support the brains reality and create all experiences to match what is going on inside the person’s brain. So if your genes support a lack mentality surrounding money, then your subconscious will help the brain to live out that reality by matching everything that you think about your circumstances.
At the Brain Wellness Spa we remove all sabotaging patterns surrounding money and rewire the brain to thinking more abundant about money even when there is limited amounts. We stop the brain from worrying about money, concern is normal and necessary. We also get the brain thinking more creatively about new ways of enriching life. Removing money stress is the most important factor when it comes to living out your life with happiness.
What are the ways improving your finances can help your outlook on life?
Money stress increases fear, insecurity, vulnerability, worry, insomnia, moods, anger and overwhelm, not to mention misery of not having a life of enjoyment. All of this triggers depression, anxiety, unhappiness, hopelessness and desperation which causes stress to the brain and body. Stress is what prematurely ages a person and robes them of their enjoyment of life. By improving the finances immediately helps the brain to feel secure in thoughts, thinking and behaviour because money to the brain is security of life. It also helps the brain to feel more confident and worthy of having a better quality of life so the desperation of hopelessness disappears and all of a sudden joy creeps in and life becomes much happier. You will naturally plan a better future creating excitement and joy and it also keeps the brain motivated in life.
For more information on Terri’s work, visit her website here.
Related links:
What to do if you’re struggling to pay utility bills
10 more items you must never buy at the supermarket
5 things to be mindful of when giving grandkids money