All posts by Apex

Money Matters: The Impact of Financial Knowledge on Mental Health

Conflict Resolution, Healthy Coping Mechanisms, Mental Health, ,

Understanding personal finance, like making a plan for your money, saving, and knowing how to spend wisely, can make you feel safer.  When people feel sure about handling money, they’re less likely to feel stressed or worried.

Making a plan for your money, called a budget, is a key step in handling your finances.  It means keeping track oh how much money you have coming in and how much you spend.  By deciding what’s most important to spend on and cutting out things you don’t really need, you can have more money to save or pay off debts.

Knowing about money helps you make smart choices, which can lower your stress levels.  You can learn more about money by reading free stuff online, like articles and videos.

Money issues can cause fights in relationships.  But if both people understand money and can calmly communicate, they can solve problems together.  Also, doing things like investing your money or finding extra work can help.

Having some money set aside for emergencies, like sudden bills or losing a job, is really important.  Try to save enough to cover your living costs for three to six months.  And it’s smart to pay off debts with high interest, like credit cards, as quickly as you can.

There are numerous financial resources available to help you improve your financial literacy.

Government Websites include:

Usa.gov

CFPB

Nonprofit Organizations include:

NEFE

JumpStart

FINRA

Financial Websites and Blogs include:

Investopedia

Nerd Wallet

The Balance

There are countless books on personal finance including:

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey : to buy on Amazon,  click here

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki : to buy on Amazon,  click here

The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko: to buy Amazon,  click here

Talking to someone about the stress you’re facing in your daily life can help you discover better ways to cope and improve your mental health.  It’s like finding a more peaceful and useful way to deal with tough situations.   Meet our staff and find who you would be most fitting with,  click here!

 

I hope you all have a sun-filled weekend.

Sincerely,

Monique

 

 

 

 

 

References:

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (n.d.). Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/

Home – Jump$tart Coalition. (2024, May 1). Jump$Tart Coalition. https://www.jumpstart.org/

Investopedia. (2019, June 6). Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/

Making government services easier to find | USAGov. (n.d.). USA.gov. https://www.usa.gov/

National Endowment for Financial Education | NEFE. (n.d.). https://www.nefe.org/default.aspx?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgJyyBhCGARIsAK8LVLPMZgUjq_nTgJC-Atl9CnahM7aRv8zme5JL2tR078eCiNSyUuatrl8aAsX6EALw_wcB

NerdWallet. (n.d.). Compare top credit cards, banks, and loans. https://www.nerdwallet.com/l/compare-financial-products-2g?bucket_id=sem-homepage-google+version&ds_rl=1246084&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgJyyBhCGARIsAK8LVLN585_W49XPofEpR6vyibfz0fEYW8s-O6pExgcHibM3KKDJZAbl5XEaAgWNEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&mktg_body=1678&mktg_hline=11649&mktg_place=kwd-40958987563&model_execution_id=4E7EC319-0607-4D31-87AA-56AEC2E01417&nw_campaign_id=150238270218585900&utm_campaign=cc_mktg_paid_060716_brand_exact&utm_content=ta&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=goog&utm_term=nerdwallet

Schmeiser, M. D., & Hogarth, J. M. (2013). Good advice, Good Outcomes? How Financial Advice-Seeking Relates to Self-Perceived Financial Well-Being. Social Science Research Network. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2261707

The balance. (2018, January 8). The Balance. https://www.thebalancemoney.com/

Harmony in Dialogue: Nurturing Communication in Marriage

Family Counseling, Healthy Coping Mechanisms, Marital counseling, Mental Health, ,

Better communication in marriage can make a big difference.  The relationship between marriage and communication is deeply intertwined and crucial for a healthy and fulfilling partnership.

Here are some ways couples can communicate better:

  1. Understanding and Connection:  Effective communication allows couples to understand each other’s thoughts, feelings, and needs better.  It fosters emotional connection by providing a platform for sharing experiences, dreams, and concerns.
  2. Express Feelings: It is important to share how you feel with your partner, using “I” statements like “I feel sad when…” instead of blaming your partner.  We are accountable for our own actions as well as how someone may make us feel.
  3. Be Honest: Always tell the truth, even if it’s hard, honesty builds trust, which is essential for a strong relationship.  When spouses feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgement or reprisal, it creates a safe and supportive environment where trust can flourish.
  4. Use Kind Words: Kindness can prevent arguments from escalating.  Anger is a secondary emotion because the root is actually sadness or the fear of being hurt.
  5. Compromise: Marriage is about give and take.  Try to find solutions that make both of you happy.  Healthy communication skills enable couples to resolve disagreements constructively, without resorting to hurtful behavior that could possibly damage the relationship.
  6. Respect Boundaries: Everyone needs space sometimes, respect the space allow for each other to have that peaceful time.
  7. Maintaining Intimacy:   Communication plays a vital role in maintaining intimacy and connection in marriage.  Expressing affection, sharing compliments, and engaging in meaningful conversation help keep the spark alive and deepen emotional intimacy.

When something really tough happens in a marriage, like one partner having an affair or mishandling money, it can feel like everything is falling apart.

  1. Take Time to Feel Hurt:  It’s normal to feel really hurt and upset when something bad happens.  It is vital to take time to feel those feelings and talk about them with you partner.
  2. Talk About What Happened:  It’s important both partners to talk honestly about what happened.  This means being brave and listening to each other without blaming or getting defensive.
  3. Apologize and Take Responsibility: If one partner did something wrong or both partners, it’s crucial for them to apologize sincerely and take responsibility for their actions.  This show that they understand that they not only hurt the partner but where they need to do better at.
  4. Rebuild Trust:  Rebuilding trust takes time and effort.  Both partners need to be patient and consistent.  This means keeping promises, being honest, and showing that they can be trust again.
  5. Seek Help if Needed:   Sometimes it’s hard to rebuilding a relationship on your own.  It’s to ask for help from a therapist or counselor who can guide you through the process.  We have great therapy service to help provide the needs to continue your growth together or separately, for more information regarding our highly trained staff,  Click here!!

Overall, good communication helps couples understand each other better, reduces stress, and strengthens their bond, while poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, stress, and feelings of loneliness or resentment.

For more information on good ways to communicate, click here.

 

Have a sunny weekend .

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL YOU BEAUTIFUL WOMEN, YOU ARE IMPORTANT.

SINCERELY,

MONIQUE

 

 

 

References:

Aime, W. B. (2024, March 22). Resilience in relationships: overcoming difficulties together — healing unapologetically. Healing Unapologetically. https://www.healing.thriveunburdened.org/blog/resilience-in-relationships?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwi_exBhA8EiwA_kU1MjxFCHMqMFCboWt2U9lBaKPnZvWave4KMgbuNtO2knnKVud7EAAEKxoCBjUQAvD_BwE

Striking the Perfect Balance: Navigating Work-Life Harmony

Healthy Coping Mechanisms, Keep yourself first, Mental Health, , ,

Having a good balance between work and other parts of you life, like spending time with family and activities, is really important for your mental health.  When you have too much work and not enough time for other things, you can feel stressed and overwhelmed.  It’s like your brain is working too hard and needs a break.  Having time to relax and do things you enjoy helps your brain recharge and feel happier.  Plus, spending time with loved ones and doing fun things can make you feel more connected and supported, which is good for your well-being as well.

Prioritizing Your Time:

Making a schedule or to-do list is not always easy but vital to manage your time.  Setting aside specific times for work projects, family, and relaxing is pivotal for harmony in life.

Limiting Distractions:

Finding quiet, distraction-free space to focus is vital.  Keep Electronics like phones and tablets out of reach unless its needed for the work to be done.

Taking Breaks:

Remember to take short breaks during study sessions to recharge.  Using break time to do something fun or relaxing, like listening music or walking can help your mental health.  Making time for hobbies, sports, or spending time with friends and family can help you overall well-bring.  Getting enough sleep each night to feel rested and ready for the day can help as well as eating healthy meals and snacks to fuel your body and mind.

Staying Organized and Goal Oriented:

Keep your materials, books, and any other necessities can help avoid last-minute stress.  Using binder or folders to keep track of papers is helpful.  Break big tasks into smaller, manageable goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed.  Celebrating your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem keeps you motivated and committed.

Speaking to someone can always help you identify ways to help relieve stress as well. For more info, Click here

Activities to help relieve stress:

  1. Grab some colored pencils or markers and doodle or color in a book to get creative and unwind.
  2. Find a book that interests you and get lost in the story to transport you to different worlds.
  3. Put on your favorite songs or discover new ones to help improve your mood.
  4. Taking a walk as I said before can help you get fresh air and clear your mind.
  5. Writing or Journaling can help you get thoughts onto paper or even start a story of your own.  Writing can be great way to express yourself and work through emotions.
  6. Playing with pets can be really fun and can boost your mood, if you don’t have any animals, find your local adoption center or pet store and  volunteer.
  7. Doing Yoga or stretching can help your mind and body relax and maintain flexibility and overall health.
  8. Baking or cooking can help you get creative and enjoy something delicious.

For more info, Click here

Remember, everyone is different, so it’s important to find hobbies and activities that you enjoy and help you relax but experimenting with different things until you find you niche is a journey that everyone should test out.

 

Have a Safe and Beautiful Weekend

Sincerely,

Monique

 

 

References:

Coping with stress at work. (2018, October 14). https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/topics/healthy-workplaces/work-stress