Debt and Stress. They go together like peanut butter and chocolate, beer and pizza, coffee and cigarettes. Unfortunately, debt and stress aren’t nearly as fun as the other couples. I certainly wouldn’t invite them to dinner.
Financial problems and debt have always been a source of anxiety for people. According to a recent poll more Americans are experiencing physical symptoms due to the stress caused by overwhelming debt. This of course isn’t news to poor people. Maybe the study is further evidence of a shrinking middle class?
The sad irony is these stress induced symptoms could grow into bigger medical issues that further strain financial resources. It’s simple, stress wears the body down making it more susceptible to illness and disease.
The long term cost of stress is too great to ignore. So how can one beat the effects of financial stress? Keep these tips in mind:
Get Physically Active
The stress response puts the body on alert, ready and poised for action. The heart rate increases, adrenalin is pumping, hormones get released. Basically a large amount of energy is created. Physical exercise is a great way to process that energy and use it efficiently. Regular exercise will also strengthen the heart, lungs, and muscles, making the stress response easier to handle. Let’s not forget the side effect of a great looking body.
Be Creative and Positive
Apply some creative problem solving skills to the debt situation. What can you do/sell/negotiate to pay off debt faster? Open up to the power of thinking positively. Positive thinking is hard work, but it soon becomes second nature. Even if it seems silly give it a try. Negative thoughts are essentially useless, so why have them? With practice you can be the shiny happy person that others hate but envy in secret.
Accept The Situation
Financial problems don’t typically sprout up overnight and can’t be fixed that quickly either. Avoidance and denial only delay a solution and prolong stress unnecessarily. Acceptance is the first step toward a solution. Reduce the debt and stress is reduced by default. Insecurity is stressful. Getting control of the problem creates a sense of confidence that helps to improve your health and well-being.
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Further Reading
Tags: Debt, Getting Out of Debt, health, Health & Wellness, Mental Health, Optimism, Physical exercise, Stress
September 15th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I like your advice especially the part where they should be physically active. Not only will being active reduce the stress but also it will protect them from all kinds of diseases. Yes, you are right. They have to accept the situation or else nothing will be solved.
Evelyn Guzman
Debt Challenger
September 16th, 2008 at 1:51 am
The two are truly intertwined, ’tis true. I think though, that many people will need more help than putting a shiny face on if they are truly beleaguered by debt. Sometimes a professional counselor, social worker, minister, psychologist or other mental health professional may be necessary to help us see past the immediate crisis. In a recent post I urged people to make sure to seek help if they have thoughts of harming themselves or others, if they feel hopeless, or if anyone is in danger of getting hurt. Stress does strange things to people.
Life is big. Things can change, even at their darkest. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Be well.
Polly
October 29th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
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