Did you know that 85 percent of Americans are experiencing financial stress sometimes? Plus, one-third of Americans are stressed about money constantly.
Some people are worried about student loan repayments, while others concerned about the ability to make rental payments.
However, whatever the cause of financial stress, this can have a significant impact on human health.
If you want to learn more about how your financial stress could be ruining your health, keep reading below. Let’s go!
1. Heart Problems
Research shows the connection between prolonged high-stress levels caused by financial worries and increased blood pressure and heart problems.
When people are experiencing financial stress, your heart rate increases, which can leave you vulnerable to further heart problems.
Stress can also indirectly impact on heart problems. For example, people suffering from stress are more likely to have a poor diet, smoke cigarettes and lack physical activity.
Furthermore, sudden and intense stress is a common cause of heart attack especially among people with pre-existing heart conditions.
2. Asthma and Breathing Conditions
Over 26 million Americans suffer from asthma.
According to research, stress caused by financial worries can negatively impact people with asthma.
There have even been suggestions that mothers who suffer from chronic stress can increase the risk of their children from developing asthma. This can also be the case with pregnant women.
This really brings home the truth that allowing your money worries to influence your mental health not only impacts you but also your children.
3. Overeating and Obesity
Obesity has been one of the biggest health problems in the United States. Nearly 40 percent of American adults are obese.
It’s widely known that obesity results in a number of health conditions, such as heart disease. However, there are also numerous causes of obesity.
Fitness research has shown that high levels of stress can also result in high levels of cortisol, a hormone which increases fat around the abdomen.
Furthermore, people suffering from financial stress can also cause over-eating in people. When we’re worrying about money, we often turn to our comfort food to make things better.
4. Type 2 Diabetes
Over 100 million Americans have diabetes.
Stress is, among other causes, a major driver of diabetes. Of course, the consumption habits which cause obesity are also connected with the development of diabetes.
However, stress has also been shown to increase the glucose levels in people who have the condition of type 2 diabetes.
If you need to ease your financial worries, you could find that Bonsai Finance could provide you with the resources and information to overcome your money problems.
5. Headaches and Migraines
Are you thinking about your money problems all the time? Do you regularly suffer from serious headaches?
This is a common sign of stress. Chronic stress is one of the biggest causes of headaches and migraines in people.
This can significantly impact your ability to make decisions on a daily basis. You may not even be able to go to work if your migraines or a headache turn serious.
6. Anxiety and Depression
Being worried and stressed about money all the time has been connected with developing depression and anxiety.
People think that work or relationships are the biggest causes of depression and anxiety in people. In fact, money is a much bigger factor among people.
If you’re concerned about your depression and anxiety, you need to handle your money problems better.
This is especially important because anxiety and depression have also been linked with multiple other harmful health conditions.
7. Alzheimer’s Disease
According to research, there are numerous reasons why stress may be connected with the development of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Again, the stress-induced hormone cortisol has also been linked with memory loss, which is a sign of Alzheimer’s.
Just as stress can cause anxiety and depression, this subsequently increases the likelihood of developing dementia.
8. Rate of Aging
We all want to stay young for longer. But at the very least, we definitely don’t want to get older quicker.
But, you probably already know that suffering from stress over a significant period of time can age you.
Just look at any President of the U.S. from the day they take office to the day they leave. They age a lot!
According to research, chronic stress can increase the acceleration of aging by up to 17 years. That means if you keep worrying about money, you can find yourself looking 20 years older than you actually are.
9. Discourage Doctor Visits
If you’re worried about money problems, you’re probably not going to visit your doctors unless your health is extremely bad.
According to research, people who have high levels of debt are significantly less likely to visit the doctor for checkups because they’re worried about paying.
However, people with high medical bills are especially likely to avoid visiting the doctor compared with other financial worries.
10. Early Death
It’s important to avoid living with stress because it can actually kill you. That may sound exaggerated. But actually, it’s true!
People suffering from stress increase the probability of premature death by nearly 50 percent.
What Financial Stress Does to Your Health?
Lots of people experience financial stress at some point during their life.
However, if you’re constantly worrying about money at the moment, you need to be careful that it doesn’t overwhelm your mental health.
Now you know all the different types of ways chronic stress can harm your general health. It’s time to make sure you overcome your financial stress by any means necessary.
If you want to discover more blog posts on health issues, check out our blog.
