Dhaka, Jan. 20 -- Stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on your financial life.

A pile of bills, a lost job or pay cut, no child care or in-person schooling, and a pandemic that feels never-ending can impact anyone's psyche.

In fact, more than 4 in 5 Americans, or 84%, are feeling stress on their personal finances due the crisis, an October survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education found.

Here's a look at six steps you can take to shake off those emotions, so that you don't freeze up or make bad money decisions.

1. Recognize you are anxious or stressed

Pay attention to your body and your emotions. Are you breathing faster? Are you more rushed?

Once you recognize you are anxious or stressed, it may help to take a moment a...