Ep 455: Let’s Stress Less in 2025
HerMoney with Jean Chatzky
Deep Dive
Why do women experience more holiday stress than men according to a 2023 poll?
A 2023 poll from Yahoo News and YouGov found that 43% of women reported increased stress and anxiety during the holidays, compared to 32% of men. This disparity is attributed to women often taking on more responsibilities, such as preparing the house, buying gifts, cooking meals, and ensuring a picture-perfect holiday for everyone.
What are the five pillars of resilience according to Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe?
The five pillars of resilience are belonging, perspective, acceptance, hope, and humor. Belonging emphasizes the importance of having a supportive 'home team.' Perspective involves seeing the big picture and managing perceptions. Acceptance focuses on controlling what’s within one’s power. Hope acts as a motivator, and humor provides a reprieve from stress.
How does swearing impact stress and pain tolerance according to research?
Research shows that swearing, when not directed at others, can improve pain tolerance and help process emotions. A study involving cold water submersion found that participants who used real swear words could withstand pain longer than those who used milder expressions. Swearing allows the body to release emotion, reducing stress.
What is the role of solitude in reducing financial stress?
Solitude helps reduce financial stress by allowing individuals to get off autopilot and reflect on their spending habits and financial narratives. Practices like journaling, meditation, or simply slowing down can re-regulate the nervous system, providing clarity and reducing impulsive financial decisions.
Why is nature considered a force of recovery for stress?
Nature shifts the brain from a mindset of scarcity to sufficiency. Being outdoors, even briefly, helps the nervous system calm down and reduces feelings of competition or lack. This perspective shift can alleviate stress, including financial stress, by fostering a sense of abundance.
How does music help in stress recovery?
Music aids stress recovery by allowing the brain to process emotions. It can motivate, such as during exercise, or enhance focus during deep work. Instrumental soundtracks, like those by Hans Zimmer, can help achieve a state of flow and improve productivity by pairing specific music with tasks.
What is a Safe Harbor account in a 401k plan?
A Safe Harbor account is part of a 401k plan where employers make mandatory contributions that vest immediately. Employees cannot withdraw or roll over these funds until they leave the company. It ensures fairness across employees of different income levels and encourages retirement savings.
What are the tax implications of converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA?
Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA requires paying taxes on the converted amount, as it is considered taxable income. There is no legal way to avoid these taxes unless the IRA has incurred significant losses, which is unlikely. However, having a mix of traditional and Roth assets can provide tax diversification in retirement.
Shownotes Transcript