8 Startling Ways Financial Stress Is Negatively Affecting Your Health
#5 — Digestive Issues
Stressed about your finances? You’re not alone. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), nearly 3 out of 4 adults report feeling stressed about money.
But, financial stress can have a huge impact on your mental and physical health. Research shows financial stress is associated with higher psychological distress, lower mental health, and lower general health.
And when you’re under a lot of stress over time, you’re more likely to experience depression, anxiety, sleep problems, higher blood pressure, and a slew of other health impacts.
If you suspect that your financial worries are causing you health concerns, take a look at some of the research.
1. Sleep Issues
Debt keeping you up all night? Having a lot of debt has been associated with higher rates of sleep problems and use of sleep medication.
Sleep is critical for maintaining your physical and cognitive health. Over time, stress disrupts your sleep cycle and the deep, restorative sleep you need.
We know that sleep is essential for supporting your brain health, restoring your energy, and repairing muscle tissues. When you’re sleep-deprived, you experience issues with memory, focus, and emotional control.
So, you can get caught in a vicious cycle where your financial stress is causing you sleep troubles, and your lack of sleep is making it impossible to manage your stress.
2. Unhealthy Ways of Coping
When under stress, people often turn to unhealthy ways of coping. One of the most common coping strategies during stressful times is increased eating. And, people tend to eat more foods high in fat and sugar.
Financial stress can lead people to other unhealthy habits like smoking and overconsumption of alcohol to cope. These unhealthy ways of coping, unfortunately, lead to more problems and deterioration of health.
3. Increased Physical Pain
Financial worries have also been linked to increased pain. A 2016 study on households across the United States found a link between economic insecurity and increased physical pain. Households experiencing unemployment spent 20% more on painkillers than households where at least one person was employed. Another study found that those who were unemployed or had high unemployment in their state reported higher levels of physical pain.
4. Greater Risk of Chronic Diseases
Another concerning trend that researchers have found includes a link between financial distress and long-term health issues. Having too much debt increases your risk of any chronic disease, like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Financial stress can have some seriously long-term health issues.
5. Digestive Issues
Long-term stress can trigger a host of gastrointestinal issues. And this takes a toll on your digestive system.
When you’re stressed, you’re more likely to experience the following gut-related symptoms:
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Nausea
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Bloating
- Stomach discomfort
- Indigestion
Stressful life events and circumstances can worsen any of these symptoms or trigger new symptoms.
6. Avoiding Doctor’s Visits
A 2018 report by Gallup showed that 3 out of 10 adults reported delaying seeking medical care in the past year because of financial concerns. And half of those who said they delayed care indicated that it was for a serious or somewhat serious issue.
Delayed healthcare can mean a condition going undiagnosed and untreated, causing major health problems down the road.
7. Depression
It’s known that high levels of stress is a risk factor for developing mental health issues, and financial stress is no different.
A systematic review of 65 studies found a significant relationship between debt and mental health problems. The association was particularly strong between debt and depression.
Financial issues can trigger feelings of guilt, and depression can make you feel like improving your finances is too overwhelming to think about, making you feel hopeless about your situation.
8. Increased Anxiety
Other studies have found strong links between payment difficulties and anxiety. You can become fixated on your financial issues, and this anxiety can have a significant impact on your relationships and ability to handle other responsibilities.
Beyond emotional distress, anxiety can even manifest as physical symptoms, like digestive issues, headaches, muscle pain, and shortness of breath.
Some Tips On Coping With Financial Stress
It can be scary to think about all the ways financial stress can be negatively impacting your health, but it doesn’t mean all hope is lost. You can take steps towards managing your stress and your finances.
And you’re not alone in your struggles. Financial stress is one of the most common and overwhelming sources of stress in people’s lives. Here are a few things you can do to start taking control of your financial stress.
Track Your Expenses and Start a Budget
The first step in managing your finances is to get a full picture of where you stand now.
When you have a clear picture of where your money is going, you can prioritize your financial goals. You’ll be better able to find areas you can cut spending, get a handle on debt, and start saving more.
If taking a critical look at your spending gives you some anxiety, know that you’ll be setting yourself up for reduced stress in the future. Managing your finances is just as important as maintaining other aspects of your daily life.
Seek Social Support
You don’t have to suffer all by yourself. Having a social support system is shown to reduce stress levels.
In fact, those who have friends and family they can reach out to for emotional support report lower stress levels than those without an emotional support system. Having at least one person to turn to for emotional support can have a big impact on your well-being.
Address Your Mental Health
If your stress levels are overwhelming, it may be a good idea to see a licensed mental health provider. A therapist will work with you to develop strategies to manage your daily stress. Therapy is also particularly helpful if you suspect you’re dealing with depression or anxiety as a result of your financial stress.
Working with a professional who can guide you towards healthy ways of coping will help you feel ready and confident to tackle your financial stressors.
Is Financial Stress Taking Over Your Life?
Your health is of the utmost importance, so it’s critical to understand how financial stress may be affecting yours. And the research shows a clear connection between the two.
While it can be hard to get out of a difficult financial situation, you can start by setting small goals on your way to financial well-being. The key is to take action to safeguard your physical, mental, and financial health.
This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered Financial or Legal Advice. Not all information will be accurate. Consult a financial professional before making any significant financial decisions.
