How to pop the pressure

From Robin Toler, licensed therapist and addictions counselor and author of Get Real: From Storytelling to Authenticity.

• Turn off your television. It pushes an artificial world that takes away from the vibrancy of real life and edges out your true vision.
• Plot your finances. Even if that means just jotting expenses versus income on paper. A simple budget is a great first step to a solid financial plan.
• Exercise. While you might think you’re too tired to get moving, exercise will give you more energy over time. Take it slow and start simple by taking a short walk or enrolling in a fitness class.

From Matt Colvin, Certified Financial Planner™

• Plot your finances. Even if that means just jotting expenses versus income on paper. A simple budget is a great first step to a solid financial plan.
• Learn to live on less. Skip impulse buys and find small ways to boost your earnings or, if you’re married, try to live off just one spouse’s income while saving the other’s.
• Be patient. Learning to put off immediate gratification will boost your resources and make life less hectic.
• Save a rainy day fund. Even if it’s just a few hundred bucks, it’s worth skipping a vacation to be more prepared for a surprise that could derail your family’s sense of financial wellbeing.

From Chris Gendusa, personal trainer and owner of Future Fitness Wellness Center.

• Exercise. While you might think you’re too tired to get moving, exercise will give you more energy over time. Take it slow and start simple, by taking a short walk, or enrolling in a fitness class.
• Go to bed. Sleep is usually the first thing that goes when life gets busy. But sleep gives your body and mind an edge when it comes to dealing with stress. Snoozes up your ability to learn and adapt to change.
• Eat smart. Putting quality fuel in your tank will help you deal with pressure. Strike a good balance between obsessing over your eating habits and ignoring them altogether.