On August 21st, Cabrini Immigrant Services – Dobbs Ferry (CIS-DF) held a workshop entitled: “Una Vida Verdaderamente Rica: Estrategias para vivir bien con menos (A Truly Rich Life: Strategies for Living Well on Less). Betsy Suarez, a licensed mental health counselor, presented the workshop.
Betsy spoke about how a fulfilling life is not measured solely by the things we buy or own. Everyone agreed that the cost of living has created significant challenges for individuals and families. Betsy discussed that financial stress affects everyone. It can affect sleep, mood, concentration and relationships. She emphasized the importance of asking for help rather than trying to manage everything alone. Sharing responsibilities with others can help reduce stress and create a healthier lifestyle.
One strategy that she spoke of was cutting back without sacrificing your quality of life. She stated that you need to look at the essentials first, housing food, health care, insurance, etc. before spending on ‘secondary needs.’
Betsy also discussed the importance of self-care and taking time to engage in activities that can help relieve stress. Various behavioral activation strategies and activity-planning techniques were presented. She emphasized that it is okay—and important—to take time for “YOU.” Prioritizing self-care can help a person better manage the demands of everyday life.