Sunday Health & Wellness

Financial Stress Is a Health & Wellness Issue

Yesterday, I spent almost $500 stocking our household back up with groceries.

This time, I could do it.

But as I started thinking about the cost of groceries, another thought came to mind.

What does worrying about money do to our health?

We talk about Health & Wellness and immediately think about food, exercise, sleep, doctor appointments and taking our medications.

But I believe our financial health belongs in that conversation too.

Because financial stress can follow you everywhere.

You can be lying in bed thinking about money.

Sitting at work thinking about money.

Eating dinner thinking about money.

Trying to enjoy yourself while part of your mind is calculating what bills are coming next.

Sometimes it isn’t even about being irresponsible with money.

That’s important to say.

You can budget.

You can watch what you spend.

You can cut back.

You can shop sales.

You can stop eating out.

You can do everything people tell you to do…

and still not have enough money.

The rent still has to be paid.

The lights have to stay on.

You need transportation.

You need groceries.

You may need medications and medical care.

Then life throws something unexpected at you.

The car breaks down.

The refrigerator stops working.

You get a medical bill you weren’t expecting.

Your hours at work are cut.

Something happens in the family.

Where does that money come from when there isn’t any extra?

That’s when financial stress can become much more than looking at numbers on a piece of paper.

It can become constant worry.

Some people become afraid to check their bank account.

Some obsessively check it.

Some lose sleep thinking about bills.

Some feel guilty after spending money, even when they bought something they actually needed.

Some become irritable.

Some argue with their spouse or family about money.

Some work more hours because they’re scared of falling behind.

And prolonged stress can affect us physically too.

Our bodies don’t necessarily separate financial stress from other forms of stress.

Stress is stress.

It can interfere with sleep.

It can leave us exhausted.

It can contribute to headaches, muscle tension and stomach problems.

And when you’re already dealing with other challenges in life, financial worry can feel like one more heavy thing your body and mind have to carry.

Here’s another part of this conversation that I think we need to talk about.

Shame.

Money can carry a lot of shame.

People may feel embarrassed because they don’t have savings.

Embarrassed because they’re living paycheck to paycheck.

Embarrassed because they have credit card debt.

Embarrassed because they need help.

Embarrassed because somebody else their age appears to be doing better financially.

But we don’t all start from the same place.

We don’t earn the same amount.

We don’t have the same responsibilities.

We don’t have the same health.

We don’t have the same family obligations.

And we certainly haven’t had the same life experiences.

So comparing your financial situation to somebody else’s may only add another layer of stress.

Now, there are things we can do when possible.

Know what is coming in.

Know what is going out.

Prioritize necessities.

Look honestly at debt.

Build even a small emergency cushion when you’re able.

Ask for help before a financial problem becomes an emergency.

But I also want to acknowledge something that doesn’t get said enough:

You cannot budget money that doesn’t exist.

Sometimes the problem isn’t that somebody doesn’t know how to manage money.

Sometimes the cost of simply living has become greater than what they’re bringing in.

That deserves compassion too.

Health & Wellness isn’t only about taking care of our bodies.

It’s also about recognizing the things in our lives that are placing stress on those bodies.

And money?

Money can absolutely be one of them.

So here’s something to think about today:

How does money affect your sense of peace?

Can you think about your finances, deal with what needs to be dealt with and then let it go?

Or does financial worry follow you throughout your day and into your night?

And if it does…

Maybe part of taking care of yourself is acknowledging just how heavy that burden has become.

No shame.

No judgment.

Just awareness.

Because our financial health, mental health and physical health don’t live in completely separate boxes.

It’s all part of our Health & Wellness.

From Flava in Her Tower 🌻