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BY PAUL D. GUERRA TAKE STEPS to Cope with Financial Stress ALTHOUGH CHRONIC STRESS has many sources, its No. 1 cause in the United States is money, according to a 2015 survey by the American Psychological Association. The survey of 3,068 adults found that 72% reported feeling stressed about finances. When it comes to money, there is a lot of fear of the unknown. We worry about whether we're earning and saving enough, and we feel stressed about putting aside enough for retirement and other goals. When the stock market is low, we worry that our investments are going down in value; and when it's high, we fret that we're missing out. The best way to soothe financial fears is to educate yourself about money. Start with a clear understanding of where you stand financially. Even if the news is bad, at least you'll know where you stand. Next, seek out the advice of a trusted professional, such as a Financial Advisor, who can help you set short- and long-term financial goals. A big part of financial stress is the fear of making the wrong decisions, and having expert advice can help ease that fear. When you understand your finances, have realistic expectations, set reasonable goals, and feel confident in your decision-making skills, you're less likely to feel stressed. There are other causes of stress, too, of course. Challenges caused by family com- mitments, work demands, and financial worries can seem never-ending. Most of us do a pretty good job of coping with these stressors in our lives. But when stress becomes overwhelming, or when it continues for long periods of time, it can take a toll on our health. It can also interfere with sleep, memory and concentration, and can trigger anger and irritability, making it harder for us to maintain good personal relationships with family, friends and co- workers. Whether you're worried about money, work, or anything else, here are some other ways to cope: + Take good care of yourself. Boost your resilience by eating right, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. + Spend time with family and friends. Social support recharges your spirit and reduces feelings of isolation. + P r a c t i c e r e l a x a t i o n s t r a t e g i e s . Techniques such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and prayer can lower levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, in your blood. + Take small relaxation breaks throughout the day. Inhale slowly to the count of four, and then exhale to the count of four. Repeat for several breaths. "In just a few seconds, a mini relaxation can give you a chance to step back, gather your emo- tional resources, and cope with whatever challenge faces you," says psychologist Alice D. Domar, PhD, Director of the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health in Boston. + Count your blessings. For a few min- utes each day, focus on being thankful. Studies show that actively practicing gratitude — writing down three to five things for which you're grateful each day, for example — can increase happiness and reduce anxiety. + Ask for help. Call your doctor or a thera- pist if you need help dealing with stress or other emotional challenges. Paul Guerra is the Managing Principal of Brookshire Wealth Management in Canton, Ohio. For more information, visit www.brookshirewealth.com or email Mr. Guerra at pguerra@wfafinet.com. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSUR ED/ NOT B A N K- G UA R A N T E E D/ M AY LOSE VALUE. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker- dealer and a separate non-bank a¨liate of Wells Fargo & Company. Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Brookshire Wealth Management is a separate entity from WFAFN. © 2016 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. ■ 2 0 2 0B U S I N E S S S E C T I O N