{"id":114790,"date":"2023-05-08T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-08T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interac1.wpengine.com\/?post_type=content&p=114790"},"modified":"2025-05-30T19:05:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T23:05:42","slug":"4-tips-from-a-financial-therapist-for-staying-calm-centred-and-in-control-while-navigating-financial-firsts","status":"publish","type":"content","link":"https:\/\/stage.interac.ca\/en\/content\/life\/4-tips-from-a-financial-therapist-for-staying-calm-centred-and-in-control-while-navigating-financial-firsts\/","title":{"rendered":"4 tips from a financial therapist for staying calm, centred and in control while navigating financial firsts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Taking control of your first financial milestones can be stressful, especially amid today\u2019s rising costs and other economic pressures. Sometimes even just thinking<\/em> about building a budget, negotiating job pay or making your first rent payment can cause anxiety. Learning healthy money habits and how to manage the feelings that come with navigating your finances can help you make better financial decisions, reach your financial goals and feel better all around.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial therapist Aseel El-Baba, with the Canadian not-for-profit economic education organization Conscious Economics<\/a>, advises being extra gentle with yourself when navigating the early stages of your financial journey. She specializes in helping people change how they think, feel, behave and communicate about money<\/a>. A graduate of Yale University and York University\u2014and a member of the Financial Therapy Association and the Canadian Association of Psychodynamic Therapy\u2014Aseel works closely with clients across Canada to heal their relationship with money so they can lead more fulfilling lives.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Naturally, the first step is to learn how to address the emotional impacts on our body,\u201d she says, \u201cand then regulate our emotions better so we can make calm, rational decisions about finances.”  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, there are many ways to safely feel, express and stay in control of your emotions while finding your way through financial firsts\u2014no matter how big or small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talking about money and our feelings around it\u2014and actively taking steps to get and remain emotionally grounded\u2014when facing financial firsts is vital. With Aseel\u2019s helpful financial therapy tips and tools within reach, you\u2019ll be well-equipped to feel more confidently calm and be in charge of your money.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are four tips to help stay in control through financial firsts:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get grounded <\/em> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Aseel recommends trying some simple grounding techniques before making any choices concerning finances, from shopping to setting cash aside, paying bills, and just about everything in between.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grounding exercises can help you remain rooted in the present moment<\/a>, shift your energy, and focus on what you can control. Getting grounded can help you pause and let any potential trauma or emotional triggers settle before making financial decisions.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, spending in the here and now\u2014with your own<\/em> money\u2014can help keep you grounded and reduce anxiety, Aseel says. For example, using products like Interac<\/em> Debit<\/a> and Interac<\/em> e-Transfer<\/a> can help you feel more in control, as you\u2019re spending your own funds, and not incurring worrisome debt. In fact, 63 per cent of Canadians feel more optimistic<\/a> about the future when they\u2019re in control of their spending.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In box breathing, also known as four-square breathing, the idea is to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n