Bet you're still wondering how money and health are connected. I will leave you in the dark no longer.
Let me start with this, I was inspired/driven to write about this topic because of the many conversations I've had with friends, clients, and strangers about their pocketbooks - literally and metaphorically. I've watched people deny themselves food, pleasure, career options, and even getting their basic needs met due to lack of money. Their arguments are mostly out of fear - not having enough, failing, succeeding, cost is too high - take your pick.
It's not necessarily the lack of money that hinders one's choices. The real health impediment is the attitude of "lack" or "not enough" or "isn't possible." This creates nothing but stress.
Stress reduces your quality of life in the short term and, possibly, the quantity of your life in the long term. If you want to learn more about stress and the power that thoughts have over your ability to be healthy, check these out - Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, Your Body Believes Every Word You Say, and Dr. Masaru Emoto's work and how that parallels our individual health.
Philosophy, scientific evidence, and practical action all have their place in regard to the money-health connection. That's another day and another post, perhaps from someone else besides myself. What I want to convey is the importance of paying attention to how you think, feel, and act around topics that you feel stuck on. Money just happens to be a common button pusher for a lot of people. My goal, and the goal of coaching, is to give you another perspective and along with it an opportunity and plan for change.
This is what I did with the lady in the grocery store. I had a choice. I could have complained along with her, and then we both would have walked away from the conversation feeling like crap. For what? Ever notice how when you feel bad about one thing it tends to snowball into a whole load of feeling bad. That is a serious stress and a drag on your health.
I figure it this way, situations are what they are. If you want them to be different, you'll have a heck of a lot more energy and creative options to change it if you can get off of your own back and stop the negative spin. Let's go back to the lady in the store. After we talked, her whole demeanor shifted. She laughed instead of sighed. Stood up straighter instead of
tapping her toes in frustration. Once she had an interrupt in her typical program, she saw - and took - the
option to change how she was being.
We are creatures of habit. If you find yourself frequently feeling tight over money (being a "tightwad"), that recurrent stress will take it's toll. For an easy way to find out how money affects you, take a look at your current situation. Notice your thoughts and feelings about it. Next, pay attention to your body. Does it feel constricted or relaxed? Is your breathing deep or shallow?
Everyone has a different scenario around what the perfect money situation would be. No matter how close you are to that, you can start now with turning around how you react- creating more peace, ease, and health inside.
Here's how:
Breathe
This is a simple technique to use whenever you feel stress. Place your hands on your rib cage and imagine that the trunk of your body is expanding in width. This shifts you out of chest breathing (anxiety producing in itself) and belly breathing (which can be difficult if your stomach is in knots over money). When you feel your buttons being pushed, notice it, acknowledge it, breathe.
Perspective
No matter what situation you are in or how many times you have been in it, it - and you - can change. "This too shall pass" paired with "I'm ready for something new that feels better to me" should help you out. It's not about faking yourself out with affirmations or trying to believe something that doesn't feel true to you. It's about being willing to see a situation for what it is, and then being open to it changing.
Education
This is a powerful key to transforming any situation. There are many
different philosophies, books, workshops, and more when it comes to
money. The sole answer isn't about being rich. It's about discerning
what's valuable to you, getting your needs met, and approaching life in
a way that supports you rather than limits you. Here are a few
resources to get started:
- From not enough to plenty: Cafe Gratitude, Trance of Scarcity, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind
- Practical tips: Suze Orman, David Bach, Your Money or Your Life
I'll end this post on another grocery store experience. Yes, I like to shop for food. That's one of my favorite things that I like to use money for. At the deli counter, the clerk asks, "How can I help you." I tell him what I want. He asks if I need anything else. I say no. He finishes up my purchase by saying "If you change your mind, let me know, and I'll be happy to give you whatever you like" I thought, hey, just for kicks, I'll ask for $5000. So I did. I'm serious. He laughs. "Is that all you're asking for? At least go for a cool mil" We both laugh and part ways.
What do you want? What are you asking for? And whether you get it or not, can you laugh about it?
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