Are Money Problems Stressing You Out? , Here's How to Face Your Financial Fears.<br />Have you been avoiding <br />managing your finances?.<br />If so, you're not alone.<br />According to data from the National Retail Federation, almost half of all consumers in the United States went into debt during last year's holiday shopping season.<br />No one enjoys paying bills. .<br />If it feels a bit more difficult for you, <br />check out these helpful ways to <br />quit avoiding your finances:.<br /> Face Your <br />Fears Directly.<br />Helpful in self-preservation, our brains are inclined to find rewards and to run from anything associated with pain.<br />Experts say it's important to power through the fear of checking your <br />account balance and form <br />new positive banking habits.<br />Watch for <br /> Bad Habits.<br />A trigger, an action and a result are the three elements of a habit loop.<br />It can be as simple as noticing, you know, 'Oh, when I think about money... I go and <br />clean my kitchen.' , Judson Brewer, psychiatrist author, via NPR.<br />Experts say to do your best to <br />avoid falling into bad habits, <br />face your financial fears head-on.<br />Don't Waste <br />Time on Regret.<br />We all stumble sometimes trying to move forward with our finances, but experts <br />say being hyper-critical of yourself <br />can be counterintuitive.<br />Approach yourself with kindness.<br />These two flavors of awareness – kindness and curiosity – can really help us in all things. , Judson Brewer, psychiatrist author, via NPR.<br />...more kindness, more curiosity. , Judson Brewer, psychiatrist author, via NPR
