What to Do When Your Credit Impacts Your Health

Did you know that credit impacts your health? You may have heard the wise old saying, “health is wealth.” But, what about “wealth is health”?

Unfortunately, according to CBS News, 7 in 10 Americans struggle with their finances. In fact, if you’re reading this, there is a high likelihood that you have struggled to manage finances at least one time in your lifetime. Of course, you probably are already aware of the impact that financial stress can place on your mental health. But, are you aware of the effects that it can also put on your physical well being? And, do you know if your credit impacts your health?

1.   Do you ignore bills, letters, or telephone calls from creditors?

2.   Are you unable to set money aside for an emergency?

3.   Do you struggle to meet your minimum bill payments?

4.   Do you feel anxious when you think about your finances?

Alas, if you answer “yes” to any of these questions, there is a high likelihood that credit impacts your health.

Of course, there is a natural tendency to suppress financial issues. However, hiding these problems can contribute to even more anxiety. Most of the time, solving monetary strain isn’t easy. It’s a long-term journey. Fortunately, it’s easy to relieve monetary-related stressors significantly by taking control and making a plan.

Interestingly, these are five significant ways that healthcare professionals say that credit can impact your physical health.

1. Digestive issues

When stress impacts your Central Nervous System’s “Fight or Flight” response, digestive issues can follow. Consequently, your esophagus could go into spasms. Unfortunately, the acid in your stomach can increase, causing indigestion. Also, you may experience nausea, diarrhea, or constipation.

“Stress can affect every part of the digestive system,” says Kenneth Koch, MD, professor of medicine in gastroenterology and medical director of the Digestive Health Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Centerin Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

2. Muscle tension

Additionally, stress can cause muscle tension. Indeed, Muscle tension is your body’s natural way of dealing with emotional or physical stress and can strain the body.

3. Headaches

Additionally, both tension-induced and migraine headaches are associated with chronic muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, and head area.

4. Cardiovascular

Together, the heart and blood vessels work to provide oxygen to the body. Further, they coordinate in the body’s response to stress. Moreover, chronic anxiety, or a constant stress experienced over a prolonged period, can contribute to long-term problems with the heart and blood vessels.

5. Respiratory

Plus, stress can make breathing problems worse for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other pre-existing diseases.

Further, stress can also play a significant role in reproduction, menopause, and other life areas.

Notably, if you are concerned about any of these health issues, you should seek medical advice from a doctor. Of course, we are not medical professionals. Markedly, the content of this blog does not replace the advice of a medical advisor. 

Finally, here are the three primary ways to improve your credit, which may improve your physical and emotional well being.

1. Control your spending

Essentially, you can control spending by researching where your money goes to negotiate or cut unnecessary expenses. Additionally, you can set up separate accounts for managing payments. Of course, the most challenging part of controlling expenses is living within your means and changing your way of thinking about money and possessions.

2. Increase your income

Possibly, now is the time to begin learning new skills. You may decide to build up courage and ask for a raise. Maybe, it’s time to explore other career options. Unarguably, increasing your income could free up additional funds for savings.

3. Add padding for emergencies

Also, whenever you spend something, you can put up to half of that amount into savings. Certainly, putting a little bit aside regularly can help transform money unhealthy perceptions and increase padding for emergencies.

4. Gain a support network

Surely, when dealing with financial stress, it can become difficult to talk about it. However, having tough and honest conversations with family and friends can help provide the support system needed to manage stress while tackling financial issues head-on. 

5. Exercise regularly

Of course, regular exercise is a very healthy way to manage stress and clear your mind.

6. Get enough sleep

Staggeringly, a whopping 40% of Americans get less than 7 hours of sleep per night. By all means, rest could be an essential component of mental and physical well-being. Truly, when we are well-rested, it can be easier to make smarter financial decisions.

7. Eat a healthy diet

Additionally, eating a diet that fits your ideal health-goals is vital to living a healthy, less stress-filled life.

In essence, whether we like it or not, our financial health is tied closely to our physical and mental well-being. First and foremost, the more you can take care of your physical and emotional health, the easier it can be to improve our financial well being. Fundamentally, financial security is one part of our life that we can control before it gets any worse.

Further, you can reference our other blog posts below for additional ways to control your spending and save.

How to Create an Emergency Fund in 10 Easy Steps

11 Ways to Manage Money Wisely During Times of Uncertainty

NOTES:

* The above post’s information is not intended to replace a financial consultant/financial planner’s or medical advisor’s advice. WorkPlaceCredit® disclaims any responsibility towards an individual’s finances or health. We offer these posts only as conversation starters in the field of financial literacy.

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