At Forrit Credit Union, we understand that money isn’t just about numbers—it’s personal. It affects your stress levels, sleep, physical health, and overall peace of mind. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to highlight how deeply connected your finances and mental health really are, and how small steps—combined with support—can make a big difference.

Why Financial Stress Hits So Hard

Money can feel like survival—and when it’s tight or unpredictable, our nervous systems go into overdrive. You might notice physical symptoms like:

• Headaches, stomach aches, or muscle tension
  
  
• Trouble sleeping or changes in appetite
  
  
• Racing thoughts, irritability, or feeling shut down
  

This is your body responding to stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. It’s a natural reaction, especially if your brain senses danger, like falling behind on bills or not knowing how you’ll pay rent.

Long-term financial stress can leave you stuck in fight, flight, or freeze mode. You might avoid decisions altogether or become so focused on the present that long-term planning feels impossible. It’s not a lack of willpower—it’s how the brain responds under pressure.

Coping Strategies (That Don’t Help!)

To escape stress, we often reach for anything that offers quick relief: shopping, gambling, doom-scrolling, or ignoring the issue altogether. These behaviors can release dopamine, giving us a temporary lift—but the aftermath often brings even more anxiety.

The pattern makes sense. When we’re overwhelmed, we just want to feel okay. But when our go-to coping mechanisms don’t align with our long-term goals, it can lead to shame, guilt, and a cycle that feels hard to break.

The Power of Small Shifts

You don’t need to overhaul your entire life to feel better. Sometimes, just shifting your environment or your breath can help reset your nervous system. Here are a few low-pressure ways to calm your body and mind:

• Go for a short walk (bonus points if you leave your phone behind)
  
  
• Take five deep breaths—in through the nose, out through the mouth
  
  
• Journal or brain-dump your worries to help your mind slow down
  
  
• Try a screen break, even just for 10 minutes
  

These moments might not “solve” financial stress, but they help you come back to yourself—so you can respond instead of react.

Making a Plan (Without the Overwhelm)

Once you’re in a more grounded state, you can start taking small steps toward financial clarity. This could mean making a list of monthly expenses, creating a budget that reflects your actual lifestyle, or checking your account balance without judgment.

You don’t have to do it all at once. Start small. Track your spending for a week. Set a goal to save $10. Ask for help if you’re stuck. Every step builds momentum.

Forrit CU is here for that part, too. Whether you’re looking for tools, support, or just someone to talk it through with, we’ve got your back.

You’re Not Lazy or Irresponsible—You’re Human

Many of us grew up in environments where money was a source of stress, secrecy, or survival. If your relationship with money feels complicated, that’s not your fault. And if you’ve made mistakes or feel behind, that doesn’t define your future.

Shame might say, “You should’ve known better.”
Compassion says, “You did the best you could with what you had.”

Self-kindness matters. Financial healing often starts when we drop the guilt and give ourselves permission to try again—without needing to be perfect.

It’s Okay to Ask for Help

Financial stress can impact every area of life—your health, your focus, your relationships, your sense of self. And the reverse is true, too: mental health challenges can make it harder to manage your money, stay organized, or take action. It’s a cycle, and breaking it takes support.

Whether that’s a therapist, a trusted friend, or someone at Forrit CU, you don’t have to go through it alone.

Build Habits That Support Your Whole Self

Financial wellness isn’t just about money—it’s about building habits that help you feel safe, balanced, and in control. A few ways to start:

• Check in with your spending triggers—what’s happening before you impulse spend?
  
  
• Keep a mini gratitude list—especially on days when things feel hard
  
  
• Celebrate small wins—like sticking to your grocery list or saying “no” to something you can’t afford

Taking care of your mental health is a form of financial resilience. And that resilience helps you bounce back, even when life throws curveballs.

You deserve peace of mind—financially, emotionally, and everything in between.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite you to pause, reflect, and take one step toward the life you want to build. Forrit CU is here to support that journey, one moment and one decision at a time.

Let’s walk forward, together.