Sometimes when I am talking to a reader about his or her debt, though he or she may be a stranger, I can hear an enormous amount of stress in their voice. I immediately switch the topic of conversation, and focus on calming them down. I am positive that if the reader is really stressed, they are not really going to absorb what I am saying, and the conversation will be a waste of time.

Back in June, we did a blog post on Stress-Related Health Problems. The post did not cover how to “de-stress” when you are freaking out over your debt problems. Well, we’re fixing that oversight now. The following list are things which seem to work in stopping the panic when counseling someone about their debt.

If you get overwhelmed, do the following:

1. Stop. All. Of. Your. Thoughts. For. A. Few. Seconds. Don’t think this is possible? I’m not kidding, you can really do this. Just sit down and listen to your breathing for 10 seconds. Don’t think, just focus on each breath. It’s just 10 seconds, people. This is not pop-psychology. Studies show that stopping and taking a few deep breaths will decrease your heart rate and halt the adrenaline flooding your system. It’s a way to “snap out” of your panic. It’s kind of like distracting a child when they are throwing a tantrum. They are very upset about something, and if you hand them a toy or point out something interesting - what happens? The tears dry up, and the child suddenly stops the tantrum. I’m not suggesting you’re a child, just giving you an example of how distraction can work.
2. Remind yourself that you are taking action in the situation. If you are reading this website, talking to a counselor, or even typing in the word “debt” into a Google search, you are not helpless; you are taking action. Taking action always makes me feel better because I know that I taking control of the situation.
3. A solution for your problems does exist - keep telling yourself this. If you are reading this post, somewhere down deep, you must believe this because you are looking for an answer. I’m 100% positive that there is a solution for you. We’ve got hundreds of success stories to tell you. The solution to your problems may not be an easy solution, but there are things you can do to pull out of the debt downward spiral.
4. Now is not forever. When you are really upset about something, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that because your problems seem so enormous and all-consuming that they will last forever. This is simply not true. Invoke the cliche in your thoughts: “this too shall pass”. In a week, a month, a day, a year, things will be different. And that situation will be better if you just take some action, even if it’s just research.
5. Confide in someone. Talk to a trusted friend or family member. Sometimes keeping things bottled inside can magnify the intensity of your stress.

This advice has helped many others in the past to calm down so they can start to find ways to solve their debt problems. I hope it helps you. Breathe, grasshopper.

Are you calm yet? Ready to do some research? Read our free debt section!

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