Financial Stress
By Valerie Mellema
Money is something we can't live without, but it also causes a plethora of stress issues all on its own. Research has shown us that more than 50% of the workers have financial problems and they're financial stress leads to many health issues, particularly depression. With the rise in credit card debt and foreclosures on homes due to adjustable rate mortgages, many people are finding that their financial situation is having a negative effect on their health.
People who experience a great deal of financial stress often pick up several unhealthy coping behaviors. These behaviors include habits that are detrimental to your health in more ways than one, such as smoking and drinking. Additionally, people under financial stress also tend to overeat. Combine these factors with the financial stress and their stress levels have just doubled.
Another factor of financial stress is that it leaves people with less money to take care of themselves. People under immense amounts of financial stress often have very little money for anything extra in life. This means that they have to cut corners in areas such as health care, just so that they can buy food. Small health issues that they are forced to deal with without the help of a doctor can often magnify into much larger health problems, which also leads to more stress.
Those under financial stress also find themselves unable to sleep at night. This can add up to a sleep deficit, which has an impact on your life in more ways than just one. Not getting enough sleep causes the immune system to not function properly, which leaves at a greater chance for health problems. Not having enough money to pay for healthcare can cause those issues to become worse and the circle continues on until you are in a much worse state than before. Additionally, not getting enough sleep causes you to be moody and to have reduced cognitive abilities. This leads to a bad memory and inhibited learning ability.
Finally, too much credit card debt also leads to unhealthy emotions that take a toll on your life as a whole. You experience increased anxiety, frustration and hopelessness as you see statements come in with increasing amounts of debt. You find yourself needing even more money that you don't have just to pay the interest on the bills. This causes not only immense chronic stress, but can also lead to self-neglect.
Financial stress is one of the leading causes of stress in Americans. This stress only compounds when they add in their daily hectic lives as well as the inability to maintain a healthy lifestyle and attitude. Preventing financial stress means you have to try and live a debt free life as much as possible.
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