Financial stress

Money is an issue that can keep many of us awake at night. When bills keep coming through our letterbox a common reaction is to hide our heads in the sand. Don't! Once they are opened you can find out exactly what the situation is and plan to manage it.

Plot out your income and outgoings, that way you can clearly see what your actual, rather than perceived, situation is. Then you can make a realistic budget, if needs be.

Prioritising your bills will make you feel more in control. The important thing is to keep communicating. If you're having problems paying bills, call the companies that you owe money to. They need to know what the situation is, as they can often give you extra time and almost always have ways of helping you deal with the problem.

Don't forget to keep talking with your partner, or your friends, as it will remind you that you're not alone.