THE ENERGY TYPE: EMOTIONAL

THE THIEF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT MONEY

Wallet worries wearing you down? You’re not alone. Last year, almost half of Brits were struggling with financial anxiety as a result of the pandemic*. Whatever the specifics of your situation, that niggling feeling that money is going to run out won’t just cause you sleepless nights, it can seriously affect your mental wellbeing. And every time a bill comes through the door? That’s your emotional energy depleted further.

THE FIX FACE FACTS, NOT FEARS

Think having more money is the answer to all your problems? Think again. A recent survey found that those earning over £100,000 reported the same level of concern as those earning less than £10,000, so extra cash won’t necessarily ease your anxiety. Instead, seek out expert financial advice. ‘It might feel insurmountable, but there really isn’t a financial problem that can’t be fixed,’ says Helen Undy, chief executive of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute. ‘Get some advice from a charity as soon as you can. Citizens Advice, Stepchange and National Debtline all offer free, independent advice.’

THE THIEF YOUR BOSS LIKES TO CRITICISE

The report you put your all into was fine, but it could have been better; it’s great that you hit your targets, but you didn’t exceed them; and, yes, that idea you pitched is earning the company big money, but where’s your next brainwave? If this sounds familiar, you’re probably under the thumb of a hard-toplease boss. ‘The pressure of trying to meet the ideals of someone who’ll probably never be satisfied can be a huge drain on your emotional energy,’ says Dr Jessamy Hibberd, clinical psychologist and author of The

Imposter Cure (£12.99, Octopus). Even the expectation that you’ll answer emails out of hours has been found to be enough to cause emotional exhaustion*.

THE FIX CHANGE YOUR REACTION

Unless you also happen to be their therapist, you can’t change their behaviour, you can only change your reaction. ‘Even if you give a task 99%, an overly critical boss will focus on the missing 1%,’ says Dr Hibberd. ‘They might have incredibly high standards of what they expect, but you didn’t necessarily sign up to those.’ As to the standards you did sign up for? They’re the ones you set for yourself. Focus on meeting those and turn down the volume on your boss’s feedback.

THE THIEF YOU’RE FED UP WITH COVID

Between a blitzkrieg of negative headlines, job insecurity and fear of the virus itself, life right now is emotionally exhausting. Researchers have even coined a term for it – ‘crisis fatigue’ is defined as a human response to unrelenting stress that can cause a person to feel physically numb or tired. And while your energy levels are likely pretty far down your priorities list right now, they matter. Why? Well, you know the saying about filling your own cup before you tend to anyone else’s? It’s true. And we need cups being filled now more than ever.

THE FIX

GET ZEN

Like taking a brolly and finishing your broccoli, meditation is one of those things you know could serve you well. And yet, whether you’re lacking in time, inclination or (oh, the irony) energy, it just hasn’t happened. Allow us an attempt at persuading you. A Canadian study found that yoga and meditation can significantly increase your brain function, as well as your energy levels, at the best of times. And a paper published last May recommended the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques as a long-term strategy for coping in a Covid world. Download a mindfulness app to get started (it worked for one WH staffer – see page 19).