Self-Soothing for Economic Anxiety 101
Self-Soothing for Economic Anxiety 101
05.09.2025 - By: Anastasia Barbuzzi
Lately, it feels like everything is being treated as a sign we’re in (or headed toward) a recession. And while some of the memes and jokes are funny… they’re also very real forms of stress relief. Because economic anxiety? It’s not just a trend— it’s a coping mechanism.
Why We're All So On Edge
It’s no secret that class anxiety is eating us alive. People are clinging to “dupes” and recession-core aesthetics not just for fun, but as a way to borrow the appearance of financial security and success. Same look, different price tag, same stress.
Some recent “recession indicators” people have pointed out:
DoorDash and Klarna letting you pay for food in installments
The rise of “recession brunettes” and minimalist nails
Flash mobs set to Doechii’s “Anxiety”
The return of the Ice Bucket Challenge
Celebrities launching beauty lines — lipstick sales famously rise during recessions as an “affordable luxury”
These moments catch on because they blend three powerful emotions:
Humour
Disbelief
Low-key despair
It’s a way to vent when everything feels expensive, uncertain, and off. Everyday moments become “proof” of the doom-and-gloom forecast, and honestly, can you blame anyone for making them out to be?
So when the vibes are off and you’re doomscrolling through every headline, remember: constant financial panic isn’t a personality, and having a few tools to self-soothe can help you reclaim a sense of control. Read on to claim them.
7 Ways to Self-Soothe for Economic Anxiety
1. Name It— Don’t Spiral
When you catch yourself reacting to a “recession signal,” try this: "Yep, that’s wild— and it makes sense that I’d feel stressed seeing that."
Naming the emotion and checking yourself in the moment helps separate fact from fear. Don’t suppress the feeling, just don’t let it run the show.
2. Reground in Your Actual Numbers
Pause. Check your budget, savings, and expenses.
Sometimes the big picture economy sounds terrifying, but your personal economy may actually be holding steady.
Specific numbers beat vague panic every time.
3. Focus on What You Can Control
You can’t fix grocery prices or the housing market, but you can:
Make a mini spending plan
Add $10 to savings
Cook dinner instead of ordering in
Micro-actions = micro wins = more peace of mind.
4. Build a “Recession-Proof” Ritual
Instead of spiraling when you see a recession meme or hear bad financial news, do this:
Move $5 into savings (proof you’re investing in yourself)
Brew coffee at home and write down one financial win
Remind yourself of a money goal you’re still working toward
Tiny rituals help your brain link stress to calm, not chaos.
5. Normalize Financial Swings
Markets rise and fall. Prices go up and down. This isn’t new.
Remember: you’ve made it through every past financial “crisis” you were worried about. Things shift. You adapt.
6. Stay Connected
Talk about what you’re feeling. Seriously.
Economic anxiety thrives in isolation. But when you talk to friends, family, or community, you realize you're not the only one feeling this way (hello, $HMONEY hunnies!) and that makes all the difference.
7. Protect Your Feed
If every scroll sends you into a spiral, it might be time to curate. Utilize that “favourites” feature on Instagram and follow people who offer:
Practical financial advice
Relatable stories
Tips rooted in improving your well-being, not just panic content
You should feel informed, not overwhelmed.
The Bottom Line
Financial stress is real— you’re not imagining it. Even in the middle of rising prices, scary headlines, and “recession-core” trends, you can find small ways to feel steady, supported, and OK.
“Self-soothing” for economic anxiety is not about fixing everything overnight. It’s about building habits that remind you: you have agency, you have tools, and you’re not alone.
Whether it's a tiny money move, a calming ritual, or just taking a break from doomscrolling, you’re taking care of you— and you should feel good about that.
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Thoughts? Questions? Leave ‘em in the comments below.
“Self-soothing” for economic anxiety is not about fixing everything overnight. Read this post to learn habits that remind you: you have agency, you have tools, and you’re not alone.