Whether it’s mounting bills, overspending or worries about job security, your financial well-being can affect your mental wellness. Research shows that the two are deeply intertwined, with stress in one area often fueling difficulties in the other.

Research has found that 4 in 10 Americans report high or moderate stress from their finances—and, for many, money issues are their top concern. This stress can affect mental health in several ways—from difficulty sleeping and physical health issues to straining relationships and mental health challenges. Understanding this connection can help you better manage the toll it can take on you and others.

Small Steps, Big Impact
A common barrier to improving financial well‑being is feeling overwhelmed by various challenges, including unexpected bills, rising costs and debt. While many think an immediate overhaul is needed, progress can be made through consistent, manageable steps.

Start With Awareness
Many people avoid looking at their finances because it triggers worry or shame. But financial clarity doesn’t have to be scary—awareness is the foundation for change. Consider implementing a few simple steps:

• Set aside 10–15 minutes to review your accounts.
• Focus on understanding what’s happening instead of criticizing yourself.
• Identify your top three financial stress points.

Break Goals Into Bite‑Sized Actions
Big goals like “get out of debt” or “save more” often feel impossible. Instead, break them down into smaller, actionable items such as:

• Choosing one clear goal for the month.
• Breaking it into three small weekly actions.
• Celebrating each completion—because momentum, no matter how small, matters.

Build a Simple, Flexible Spending Plan
Traditional budgets can feel rigid and stressful, especially when money already feels tight. Instead, try a flexible approach:

• Identify essential categories such as housing, food, healthcare and utilities.
• Set one spending rule in an area where you tend to overspend. For example, limit dining out to once a week.
• Review and adjust your plan every two weeks, if needed, without guilt. You may not get it right the first time, but being flexible makes the plan more sustainable over time.

Supporting Your Health
Neither your finances nor your mental health exist in a vacuum, and how you’re feeling can ultimately affect how you manage both.

Reframe Setbacks
When financial stress spikes, it’s easy to slip into worst‑case thinking. Reframing challenges as temporary can help reduce emotional burden. Instead of saying, “I’ll never get ahead,” try a new approach with, “This is a setback, not the full story.”

Ask for Help
While financial stress often makes people feel isolated or embarrassed, support is available in several forms:

• Mental health providers
• Financial counselors
• Employer wellness programs
• Community organizations

Use Stress‑Reduction Habits
While you can’t control every financial factor, you can strengthen your response to stress with small, grounding practices:

• Go for a short daily walk
• Practice five minutes of deep breathing
• Journal emotions around money and your current situation
• Prioritize sleep and nutrition

Strengthening Financial Resilience
Bouncing back from emotional and financial stress can be challenging, but there are simple ways to rebuild and begin to move forward.

Build a Safety Cushion
An emergency fund doesn’t have to start big. Even setting aside $5–$20 a week can build confidence and create a buffer against unexpected expenses.

Improve Financial Literacy
People with strong financial literacy report less anxiety and better overall health. Busey’s commitment to bettering the communities we serve includes providing our Pillars—associates, customers, communities and shareholders—with wide-ranging access to financial education tools.

We’re pleased to offer our complimentary service, Financial Pathways, an educational platform which provides an engaging learning experience through a series of interactive modules designed to deliver actionable financial education. Centered around a robust content library, the personalized experience includes over 250 educational experiences and tools. To learn more, visit busey.com/FinancialPathways.

Create Sustainable Habits
Good financial habits are less about restrictions and more about alignment. Consider implementing habits such as:

• Automating bills or savings
• Doing a weekly 10‑minute money check‑in
• Setting up calendar reminders to prevent late fees

Financial and emotional wellness are deeply connected. When money feels uncertain, stress rises—and when stress is high, managing money becomes harder. But small, steady steps—awareness, support, simple routines and mindset shifts—can create a powerful ripple effect.

To learn more about Busey Wealth Management’s holistic financial services, visit busey.com/wealthmanagement.

This is not intended to provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Any statement contained in this communication concerning U.S. tax matters is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties imposed on the relevant taxpayer. Clients should obtain their own independent tax advice based on their particular circumstances.

This material is provided for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities.

This presentation is for general information purposes only. It does not take into account the particular investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of any specific client.