When you are facing the prospect of losing your home it can take a tremendous emotional and physical toll. Especially when the foreclosure avoidance process can drag on for over a year!

Maintain your social life. It’s tempting to want to wrap yourself in a blanket and hide from the world. This will only make your depression worse. It’s often hard to push yourself out the door but you have to make that effort for yourself and your family.

It’s tempting to turn down invitations. I know for myself, as soon as I actually get to an event I usually really enjoy myself and am grateful for the distraction from my problems. Humans are social creatures and we thrive when we feel as we are surrounded by a supportive community.

If you can’t afford to go out for drinks with friends or other expensive endeavors, suggest alternatives. Do a low-budget BBQ, plan to meet and walk around the high school track (exercise and getting outdoors is a fantastic stress-buster!), hold a movie night at home instead of going to the theater. You get the idea.

It’s important not to let this temporary financial situation leak into every aspect of your life.

Volunteer and Be Kind. It may sound terrible, but seeing others who are in less fortunate situations than yourself really helps put your own struggles into perspective. This can be simple or organized. Mow the lawn of an elderly neighbor.

Help out at a local charity event. Volunteer at your local animal shelter one Saturday a month. Visit a nursing home. There are countless charities right now that could greatly benefit from your skills and talents.

Nothing takes your mind off of yourself like helping another.

Don’t Neglect Your Health. If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything. Taking care of yourself and nourishing your body during times of stress is of utmost importance.

Taking a walk can do wonders for the soul. Get outside.

It’s so tempting to reach for junk food when feeling pressured or stress. I know, believe me, I’ve been there. However, it’s self-sabotaging. Junk food will just make you feel worse AND put more stress on an already taxed body.

Chronic stress will take a tool on your health, but can be combatted with a healthy diet. My advice is to try and maintain a healthy diet during the week, drink lots of water, eat your fruits and veggies and then reward yourself on the weekends with a comfort food meal. It can give you something to look forward to and it’s important to reward and treat yourself occasionally.

Keep it in perspective. It’s easy to catastrophize and envision the worst case scenario. Don’t. Instead try and remember that it is a temporary situation and that you will move past it.

I had a good friend and neighbor who was battling cancer at about the same time we decided to stop paying our mortgage.

My friend was next door fighting for her life while I was fighting to save my home. I know which struggle I would choose.

Whenever I was feeling sorry for myself as I sat in traffic (with a screaming toddler) on my way to Fedex paperwork to the lender I would try and think of my friend.

She was probably sitting in bed unable to do much of anything. What she wouldn’t give to be healthy and strong and out on a beautiful sunny day running an errand!

We take these things for granted and Hospice patients all across the country would agree. After a courageous nine-month battle my 49 year old friend passed away. I truly feel that one way I can honor her memory is NOT to take my time on this earth for granted and live each day fully.

Our days are numbered from the moment we are born and it’s important to remember that. We can’t live for tomorrow, we have to live for TODAY and make it the best that we can.

Maryann Johnson fought her lender for 2+ years and finally got a successful loan modification. She recently penned a book, The Simple Guide to Saving Your Home. Find out more at http://www.StoporStallForeclosure.com

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