As the cost of living crisis continues, with interest rates reaching a 40 year high after a fifth back-to-back increase, many British households are feeling the pinch.
In this article, we’re going to be looking at how the cost of living crisis is affecting people and what you can do if it is taking a toll on your mental health.
How is the Cost of Living Crisis Affecting People in Britain?
A recent Sky News poll asked Britons how the crisis was affecting them and their families. 60% of respondents said they feel more worried about the rising cost of living than they did six months ago.
Nearly a third told Sky that they felt angrier than six months prior as prices soar, made worse by rising energy prices.
With the average cost of a full tank of petrol exceeding £100 and food bills on the rise, hundreds of UK households are being forced to choose between paying for fuel to heat their homes or buying food for their families.
The poll also found that nearly a third of people feel more depressed now, suggesting the cost of living crisis is having a severe impact on people’s mental health.
One in five reported that the crisis had affected their sleep and a third were having to socialise less in order to save money.
A lack of sleep and feelings of isolation from going long periods of time without seeing others can exacerbate mental health issues.
Mental health charities have also reported seeing a rise in demand for their services from those struggling to cope with the increased cost of living.
According to chief executive of Mental Health Concern, Adam Crampsie, a fifth of people on low incomes are up to three times more likely to develop mental health problems than people from wealthier families.
How to Cope if the Cost of Living Crisis is Affecting Your Mental Health
If you find yourself struggling to cope with the cost of living crisis, there are a few things you can do to look after your mental health.
Get Plenty of Rest
One of the biggest factors that plays a part in our mental health is the amount of sleep we get. Sleep allows our bodies to recharge and remain healthy. Without enough sleep, the brain cannot function properly, leading to feelings of tiredness, stress, anxiety and depression.
If you find yourself being kept awake at night by worries and fears of the cost of living crisis, there are a number of things you can do to help you get to sleep.
Reading, listening to music, taking a hot bath and doing deep breathing exercises are all excellent ways of calming feelings of anxiety and taking your mind off things to allow you to sleep.
Don’t Overwork Yourself
When you’re worried about money, you may resort to working longer hours or taking on multiple jobs in order to have enough, however, overworking yourself can lead to much more serious issues such as burnout which worsens your mental health and makes it more difficult to work.
Burnout and poor mental health can lead to you needing time off work, which can actually worsen your financial situation if you don’t get paid for time off sick.
Reach Out to Loved Ones
Going long periods of time without speaking to loved ones can lead to feelings of isolation and depression.
Make sure to reach out to friends and family and let them know how you’re feeling. As the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved and even just having someone to listen to us can help us to feel supported and boost our emotions.
Reach Out for Help
Don’t be afraid to seek professional help for your mental health. There are a number of charities out there that are dedicated to supporting people’s mental health during crisis’ such as this.
If you live in England and find yourself in a crisis, you are able to call a local NHS urgent mental health helpline at any time for support during a mental health crisis.
Other mental health helplines and services include:
- StepChange. StepChange is a fantastic government and bank funded charity that is dedicated to helping those struggling with debt. They provide free help and can even speak to your creditors on your behalf for no fee. Online debt advice service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 0800 138 1111 Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm.
- National Debtline. National Debtline is a charity that provides free, confidential and independent debt advice online and over the phone. www.nationaldebtline.org. Telephone: 0808 808 4000
- Samaritans. To talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email [email protected] or visit some branches in person.
- SANEline. If you’re experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK. Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (open 24/7)
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.
- Shout. If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
Reach Out To Your Recovery Practitioner
If you’re currently struggling to cope with anxiety around the cost of living crisis and you are worried that you’re at risk of a relapse, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your practitioner at Acquiesce and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can help you.
For more information and advice on mental health and addiction, check out our guides and articles here.
