The Truth: Can financial stress affect your health?

Financial stress is a real and serious issue that can have a negative impact on both your physical and mental health.

While it’s not possible for money to buy us happiness, it can certainly cause a great deal of stress and worry.

Financial stress can cause physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, and chest pain, as well as mental health symptoms including depression and anxiety.

It’s important to understand how financial stress can affect your health and to take steps to reduce it.

What is Financial Stress?

Financial stress is the feeling of being overwhelmed by money-related issues. This can include issues such as not having enough money, worrying about job security, or struggling to make ends meet. Financial stress can arise from external factors, such as job loss, illness, or other financial obligations, or it can be self-imposed, such as from overspending or not budgeting properly.

Financial stress can have a significant impact on your health.

It can cause physical symptoms, such as the chest, abdominal, and head pain. Plus mental health symptoms, such as depression, worry, and disturbed sleep.

These physical and mental health symptoms can be severe and can have a significant and detrimental impact on your quality of life.

How to Reduce Financial Stress

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by financial stress, there are a few steps you can take to reduce it.

1. Make a budget:

Creating a budget can help you track your spending, manage your debt, and save money. This can help you feel more in control of your finances and reduce stress.

2. Prioritise debt:

If you have multiple debts, prioritise them in order of interest rate and payoff amount. This can help you focus on the most important debts first and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.

3. Set financial goals:

Setting financial goals can help you focus on the bigger picture and maintain a positive attitude toward money.

4. Talk to a financial advisor:

A financial advisor can help you create a plan to manage your finances and provide expert advice.

5. Reach out for help:

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you’re feeling overwhelmed. There are many organizations that offer financial counseling and assistance.

The Bottom Line

Financial stress can have a serious impact on your physical and mental health. It’s important to understand how financial stress can affect your health and to take steps to reduce it.

Creating a budget, prioritizing debt, setting financial goals, talking to a financial advisor, and reaching out for help can all help reduce financial stress.

How can money issues cause stress?

Money is one of the most common causes of stress in today’s society.

Although money is essential for our everyday lives, it can also be a major source of worry and anxiety.

With the rising cost of living, the uncertainty of job security, and increasing debt, it’s no wonder that financial issues are a leading source of stress.

Financial stress can be caused by anything from having too much debt to not having enough money to cover basic needs. It can lead to feelings of fear and worry, and it can also affect how you interact with others.

For example, financial stress can lead to arguments with your partner, difficulty concentrating at work, and even depression or anxiety.

Financial stress can have a serious impact on your health.

It can lead to high blood pressure, chest pain, and other physical symptoms.

It can also cause psychological problems, such as insomnia, anxiety, and depression.

Take a break.

Financial stress can be overwhelming, so it’s important to take a break from time to time. Spend time with friends and family, go for a walk, or take part in a hobby.

This will help you relax and give you a chance to step back from your financial worries.

Money issues can cause a lot of stress, but it doesn’t have to be this way. If you take the time to create a budget, save money, cut expenses, and talk to a financial advisor, you can better manage your finances and reduce your financial stress.

Which health issues does stress cause?

Stress is a natural part of life, and it can be beneficial in moderation.

However, when stress is chronic and severe, it can take a toll on our physical and mental health.

Stress has been linked to a wide range of health issues, from minor annoyances to potentially life-threatening conditions.

Now that we know money issues can cause stress, let’s explore some of the most common health issues caused by stress, as well as what you can do to reduce the effects of stress on your body.

Headaches and Migraines

Headaches and migraines are among the most common health issues caused by stress.

Stress-induced headaches tend to be tension-type headaches, which cause a dull, aching pain on both sides of the head.

Migraines, on the other hand, are intense, throbbing headaches that often occur with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other symptoms.

Stress can both trigger and exacerbate existing headaches and migraines, so it’s important to find ways to reduce your stress levels if you’re prone to these types of headaches.

Insomnia

Stress can also interfere with your sleep, leading to insomnia and other sleep disorders.

When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol, a hormone that can interfere with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. As a result, you may have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.

Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to a number of health issues, including fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and an impaired immune system.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Stress can also cause a number of gastrointestinal issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers, and acid reflux.

Stress can cause IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation.

Stress can also exacerbate existing ulcers and acid reflux, leading to increased pain and discomfort.

Depression and Anxiety

Stress can lead to a range of mental health issues including depression and anxiety.

Chronic stress can lead to a build-up of negative emotions, such as sadness, worry, and anger. Over time, these negative emotions can lead to depression and anxiety.

Depression and anxiety can cause a wide range of physical symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, and digestive issues. It’s important to seek help if you’re dealing with depression or anxiety that’s caused by stress.

Heart Disease

Stress can also increase your risk of heart disease.

When you’re stressed, your body produces adrenaline and cortisol, which can cause your heart rate and blood pressure to increase. Over time, this can lead to plaque buildup in our arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Skin Conditions

Stress can also lead to skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Stress can trigger the overproduction of oil in the skin, which can lead to acne breakouts. It can also cause the skin to become dry and inflamed, leading to eczema and psoriasis flare-ups.

How to Reduce Stress

If you’re dealing with health issues caused by stress, it’s important to find ways to reduce your stress levels. Some stress-reduction techniques include:

Exercise:

Regular exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress. Exercise can help to reduce cortisol levels, as well as release endorphins, which can boost your mood.

Mindfulness:

Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on the present moment and being aware of your thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness can help to reduce stress, as well as reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Social Support:

Having a strong social network can help you to cope with stress. Connecting with friends and family can help to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can help to reduce stress levels.

Healthy Diet:

Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help to reduce stress. Avoiding processed and sugary foods can help to keep our cortisol levels in check and make it easier to manage stress.

Self-Care:

Taking time for yourself is an important part of stress management. Make sure to set aside time for activities that you enjoy, such as reading, listening to music, or spending time outdoors.

Supplementation

Supplements are substances that can be taken orally or in pill form to provide essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. These substances are often derived from natural sources, such as herbs, plants, and fruits.

They are not intended to replace a healthy diet, but to supplement it. The use of supplements to reduce stress has been growing in popularity in recent years and for good reason.

There are a variety of supplements that can help reduce stress.

These include vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, B-complex vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Herbal supplements, such as ashwagandha are also popular for their stress-reducing properties.

Additionally, supplements like melatonin and GABA can help promote better sleep.

Magnesium is a mineral that is important for a variety of bodily functions, including the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate moods.

Studies have found that taking magnesium supplements can help reduce stress by reducing feelings of anxiety and improving sleep.

B-complex vitamins are essential for healthy nervous system functioning. They help the body produce energy and reduce fatigue, which in turn can help reduce stress.

Studies have found that taking B-complex vitamins can help improve mood and reduce stress levels.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for overall health, and they are also known to help reduce stress. They help regulate the body’s response to stress and can help reduce feelings of anxiety. They can also help improve mood and reduce fatigue.

Herbal supplements, such as ashwagandha are known for their calming effects. Ashwagandha is an herbal adaptogen, which means it helps the body adapt to stress.

Studies have found that taking ashwagandha can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep.

Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle.

Taking melatonin supplements can help promote better sleep, which can in turn help reduce stress.

GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate the body’s response to stress.

Taking GABA supplements can help reduce stress and improve mood. In conclusion, supplementation can be an effective way to reduce stress.

Supplements like magnesium, B-complex vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, ashwagandha, melatonin, and GABA can all help reduce stress levels and improve overall health.

However, it is important to remember that supplements should never be used to replace a healthy diet.

Additionally, it is important to consult your primary healthcare practitioner before taking any supplement to ensure that it is safe for you to do so. With the right supplement, you can reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.

Conclusion

Stress can lead to a wide range of health issues, from minor challenges to potentially life-threatening conditions. The good news is that there are many ways to reduce stress and improve your physical and mental health.

An effective starting point is to find ways to reduce your stress levels, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about any of this info, and I’ll see you on this week’s #AlivewithFi – have a fun week ;).

PS. if you’re interested in the idea of time freedom check out this blog post

https://www.fijamiesonfolland.com/what-does-time-freedom-mean-to-you/

Fi Jamieson-Folland D.O., I.N.H.C., is The LifeStyle Aligner. She’s an experienced practitioner since 1992 in Europe, Asia and New Zealand as a qualified Osteopath, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, speaker, educator, writer, certified raw vegan gluten-free chef, and Health Brand Ambassador.