Did you know that your financial struggles could be putting your health at risk? In a recent survey by The Harris Poll, conducted for the American Psychological Association, 1 in 5 Americans have considered or skipped a doctor’s visit due to financial concerns. Moreover, those who participated in the survey said that they had stressed over money matters within the past month.

Let’s examine how stress is related to debt, and can affect your emotional, physical, and behavioral wellbeing.

Emotional

Excessive debt can fill the mind with negative emotions. Irritability, moodiness, and the inability to relax are all common side-effects of stress and are all contributing factors to depression. A recent article on WebMD found that 73% of participants in a survey by the American Psychological Association listed money as their main source of stress. According to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, 3 out of 4 American families are in debt. Another study from Northwestern Medicine showed that high financial debt was linked to higher diastolic pressure and poorer overall physical and mental health in young adults. Clearly, worrying about how to get out of debt or pay off credit cards can take a toll.

Physical 

Worrying about how to get out of debt or how to pay off credit cards can literally make you sick.

Overwhelming evidence shows that mind-body balance is crucial for physical well-being. A study in the *Annals of Behavioral Medicine* found that “Those with increasing credit card debt described themselves as having worse physical functioning, worse health, and greater helplessness.” Mental health directly impacts physical health. Nausea, chest pain, hair loss, skin issues, and dental problems are common warning signs. If ignored, these symptoms can lead to serious complications like heart disease and high blood pressure.

The need for debt relief can affect anyone. The stress of credit card debt on an individual’s physical wellbeing affects more seasoned adults as well as younger ones. A study of undergrad and grad students at the University of Minnesota found that those with over $1,000 in credit card debt had higher risks of obesity, unhealthy weight control, and violence.

Behavioral 

When you experience the mental and physical maladies triggered by stress, your behavior can also drastically change. A study at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey found that non-collateralized debt might lead to poorer health behaviors due to anxiety and frustration. Behavioral stress can lead to substance abuse and an inconsistency in one’s appetite or sleep cycle. As a result, the may start to interact with people differently and relationships with friends, family and colleagues may be jeopardized. In fact, lack of initiative and irritability can set in, affecting one’s work ethic.

Putting one’s physical and mental well-being at risk because of burdensome debt is not a lifestyle many of us would choose. But by recognizing the signs, you can begin the journey of returning to a healthier place. It’s not easy to recognize or admit that we need help with debt, as we become accustomed to despair.

To speak with a Clear Coast Debt Relief consultant, give us a call at 1-866-837-0095. Remember, we’ve all experienced the burden and stress of debt, and our consultants are here to guide you.

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