Effective Strategies for Managing Financial Stress: The FOCUS Model
Join Dr. Paula Gomes and Robin Huskey as they present practical strategies for managing financial stress using the FOCUS model. Learn how to face your fears, self-observe, create opportunities, and utilize available resources. This session will also discuss the emotional and physical impacts of financial stress on your job and family life. Discover helpful tools and local resources to support your journey towards financial well-being. Don’t let stress control you—take the steps to effectively manage it today!
Effective Strategies for Managing Financial Stress: The FOCUS Model
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Presentation Transcript
Presented by: Dr. Paula Gomes, PsyD, Director, FSAP Robin Huskey, LCSW, CEAP, Manager of Education and Outreach, FSAP April 6, 2009 Managing Financial Stress www.fsap.emory.edu (404) 727-WELL
Impact of Financial Stress Emotions Physical Job Family
Objectives • To learn the FOCUS model: strategies for managing financial stress more effectively • To identify resources for education and support
Strategies for Managing Financial Stress Manage the Stress … or the stress will manage you.
Strategies for Managing Financial Stress • Face your fears • Observe yourself • Create opportunities • Utilize resources • Share your action plan
Face Your Fears • Recognize and normalize your emotions • Accept uncertainty and change • Monitor the fight-flight response • Communicate your concerns • Write down your challenges
Observe Yourself • Challenge your negative thinking • Practice positive behaviors • Minimize media exposure • Keep life in perspective • Stay in the moment
Create Opportunities: Self Care • Maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits • Exercise regularly • Practice relaxation, meditation, prayer, and positive affirmations • Enhance your organizational and professional skills • Make time to play – Play is a state of mind!
Create Opportunities: Financial Care • Budget, budget, budget • Eat out less – pack a lunch; make dinner at home • Offer handmade gifts, personalized coupons, e-cards • Plan free or inexpensive family activities and vacations • Use productive worry to take action
Utilize Resources • FSAP - counseling and coaching • Workshops - financial education, stress management • Community resources • Online budgeting tools • Family, friends, colleagues, advisors
Utilize Resources • Employee Hardship Donation Fund - Emory Healthcare • Emory Express Emergency Loan - Emory Alliance Credit Union • Energy-saving tips at home • Zero-Tier or low cost medications • Free or subsidized alternative transportation services
Share Your Plan • Put your FOCUS plan in writing and make copies! • Communicate your plan to others • Ask others to help hold you accountable
FOCUS ! Face your fears Observe yourself Create opportunities Utilize resources Share your action plan
Start Your FOCUS Plan Today • Focus Plan goals • Barriers to success • Strategies to overcome barriers • One strategy I plan to start today
“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.” -- Lucille Ball
Faculty Staff Assistance Program The Emory Wellness Center 1762 Clifton Road NE, Suite P1100 Atlanta, GA 30322 404.727.WELL www.fsap.emory.edu
