Signs You’re Dealing With Financial Stress

Weight and stress levels correlate. Stress may cause your weight to fall or rise to unhealthy levels. You may wonder exactly why weight loss or weight gain manifests as one of the effects of financial stress. As far as weight loss, stress can speed up your metabolism and adrenaline sometimes suppresses appetite.

In the relationship between financial stress and weight gain, the quality of consumed foods may play a role. Financial stress may prevent individuals from making healthy food choices. Meal prep takes extra time and energy, so getting fast food may feel appealing after a hard day's work. Unhealthy food also costs less than healthier alternatives, and stress impacts our ability to metabolize high-fat foods quickly.

Stress's impact on your sleep may appear as insomnia or general poor sleep quality. A frustrating cycle may develop, as stress causes low-quality sleep, and insufficient sleep causes more stress. The Anxiety & Depression Association of America provides more information on the relationship between sleep issues and stress.

Our bodies hold stress in the form of tension, which may lead to muscle pain and headaches. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports that our brain's nerve endings react to stressors, sometimes causing migraines. While research already supports that stress causes tension and headaches, researchers still must figure out possible treatments.

Unfortunately, stress also impacts our relationships. Relationship strife could indicate that you're dealing with financial stress. In one study, 36.7% of divorced participants cited financial struggles as a significant contributor. While money issues may not cause a divorce directly, they can certainly contribute to the final decision.

If your budget allows, consider seeking financial counseling to learn how to manage financial stress. Some financial planners may offer pro-bono services to struggling individuals, especially students. Even if you do not qualify for free services, a financial counselor may save you enough money to cover their services' costs.

Certified financial health counselors help individuals develop plans to earn more money, spend responsibly, and follow a budget. You can carry the lessons you learn from a financial planner for the rest of your life.

Some financial health counselors offer free resources, including informative blog posts, free worksheets, or podcast episodes. These resources may provide sufficient guidance, and you may not need to pay for additional help.

Traditional mental health counselors can help you learn how to deal with financial stress through healthy coping mechanisms. Financial pressures continue throughout life, but knowing the signs that you're dealing with financial stress allows you to respond appropriately.

Budgeting marks one pillar of financial wellness. That said, creating a budget does not help you unless you stick to it. Before making a budget, list all of your expenses for one month. Then, look for ways to save on each line item. You may discover that you spend more on eating out than you realized, or that your phone bill costs more than you thought.

When forming a budget, do not forget to factor in an emergency fund. This can ease financial stress when unforeseen circumstances arise. Aim to fill your savings with enough money to cover 3-6 months of expenses. This money can cover rent and groceries in case of job loss, car repairs, or hospital bills.

Researchers have documented the positive relationship between exercise and stress reduction for years. If you need a side job to ease financial stress, your schedule may not allow for much exercise time. Consider trying at-home workouts, even in 10-minute increments. Going on fast-paced walks with friends and family provides quality time and movement all at once. Doing chores around the house enables you to stretch and get your body moving, especially if you move fast.

Anyone can implement simple sleep hygiene habits. Avoid looking at blue light or bright electronic screens 2-3 hours before bedtime. Knowing your body's limits when it comes to caffeine may also help.

Many individuals find that easing into the night with a routine helps improve sleep. Aim to make this routine enjoyable or even a time for self-care. Reading or meditating before bed may signal your brain to unwind for the day.

If you experience signs of financial stress, reach out to a friend or family member for help. Your support system wants to see you succeed, and they often love to lend a hand. Leaning on social support may entail borrowing money or asking someone to cosign a loan. Your friends could serve as accountability partners who help you stick to a budget. Research shows that social support reduces a person's feelings of hardship or stress.