Crypto Trading and Mental Health
The world of cryptocurrency is intense, requiring participants to move in a highly fast-paced environment that can easily stress a typical person out. While it’s a rewarding field, it can have some serious repercussions on one’s mental health. There is a significant relationship between the mind and trading cryptocurrency.
If you’re looking to learn more about the interaction between crypto trading and mental health, you’re in the right place. While it’s easy to fall into mental stress as a crypto trader, it’s also possible to keep yourself in a healthy condition. Read on to learn more about some of the mental health issues from crypto trading and how to have solid mental health as a trader.
Mental Health Issues From Crypto Trading
1. Fear of Missing Out
One of the most significant tolls crypto trading can take on mental health is a fear of missing out or FOMO. In the crypto world, you’re often hit head-on with social media posts, exhilarating news, and ample speculation that can cause stress and make you feel like you’re missing out on valuable crypto trading markets.
The fear of missing out can cause some extreme uncertainty and even lead some to make very impulsive decisions, which can cause significant financial loss and even worse mental health for the individual involved in the crypto trading world.
2. Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt
Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) go hand in hand with fear of missing out. Rather than getting overstimulated and making rash decisions, sources and other media outlets can lead to extreme frustration and confusion for a crypto trader. They might form doubts about a professional in the crypto world or a currency they are heavily invested in.
Often, crypto traders feel like they’re going to get scammed, which leads to insecurity at every step of the trading process. It can also lead to making costly mistakes due to second-guessing oneself. Over time, the FUD can wreak havoc on a person's mental health and spill over into other parts of their life.
Related: What Are the Risks Associated With Day Trading?
3. Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety can also come with crypto trading, especially with the significant fluctuations and changes that occur in the financial status of a typical participant. Everything can be fine one moment and then come crashing down the next without warning.
Without any control, depression and anxiety can quickly spiral out of control and take over a crypto trader’s life. The deeper they grow to focus on their stressful moments, the more solidified an unfortunate mental state will become.
4. Isolation
Finally, crypto trading is an endeavor that naturally lends itself to a lifestyle of isolation. If left unchecked, isolation can lead to depression, insecurity, and even a lack of confidence, among other things. Crypto trading could also expose a person to an atmosphere where they are with negative influences online, whether intense or hostile.
Where there are hostile communities, mental health sinks. If you’re by yourself or surrounded by fellow traders who put significant pressure on you, it can cause significant loneliness and alienation. Isolation is never a good path to go down for someone working in a field like cryptocurrency.
How to Maintain Solid Mental Health in Crypto Trading
1. Set Boundaries
One of the best ways to maintain excellent mental health while working in crypto trading is by forming healthy and significant boundaries. You must have walls in place to protect yourself from outside influences while trading. If you don’t protect yourself from these negative influences, they could make your mental health significantly worse and harm you in the long term.
A practical place to form boundaries is in the content you allow yourself to see on social media. Instead of reading a steady stream of content from social media and various market sites, subscribe to a reputable news website. Also, ask others with experience in the world if they have any boundaries they’ve put up to support their mental health.
Related: The 6 Best Cryptocurrency News Sites
2. Look for Support
Next, consider seeking support for a solid structure of people as you navigate various areas of crypto trading. The more powerful your network of people, the more you will have to lean back on when things feel like they’re spiraling out of control. A network can include family members, friends, and even crypto-loving mental health advocates.
If things get very tricky in dealing with your mental health and crypto trading, it’s never a bad idea to get professional help if you find yourself stuck. Many therapists have experience working with those in the crypto field and are equipped to help you keep your mental state in optimal condition.
3. Bring Education and Awareness
Many are unfamiliar with the mental health struggles associated with crypto trading, so one of the most valuable items you can do is to bring attention to the struggle. The more people know how your mental health can fall in crypto trading, the more help will be available in the coming years.
The crypto world should be full of mental health resources for individuals. From forming support networks for mental health to knowing what to read in the case of a crisis, you can protect yourself by raising awareness to the highest degree.
4. Know Your Weaknesses
Finally, know your weaknesses and practice self-care to keep up with moments when you’re struggling. Consider self-care movements that will keep you calm, stress-management tactics to lower your heart rate, and resources you can turn to when things get tough in the crypto trading universe.
Give your brain small breaks from the screen throughout the trading day. Take a walk and move away from your computer. Do a workout. Talk with loved ones about their day. Separate yourself from the screen, and crypto trading mental health will improve.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is mental health awareness month, working to draw attention to struggles that often go unnoticed by the general public. Although crypto trading is a very profitable endeavor, it can quickly take up your mind and even take over your life. If you’re stressed or overwhelmed, it doesn’t hurt to reach out to a network of friends or seek professional help.
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