Financial Stress
Financial stress is a widespread experience. Financial stress is linked to health problems like depression and sleep problems. With the rising cost of gas, food, tuition, and the bank troubles we're seeing, many students are feeling the crunch of financial stress. Anxiety over money can negatively affect health in several ways:
Unhealthy Coping Behaviors: Students experiencing financial stress can be more likely to numb their anxiety by drinking, smoking, overeating and practicing other unhealthy coping behaviors. This in turn leads to more stress.
Less Money for Self-Care: With less money in the budget, people who are already under financial stress tend to cut corners in areas like health care to pay for basic necessities like food. Or they may eat ‘easier' unhealthier meals. Small problems can go unchecked and turn into larger problems. This also leads to more stress.
Lost Sleep: When under financial stress, people often experience trouble sleeping, which can add up to a sleep deficit, impairing immune functioning and cognitive abilities, causing additional moodiness, and more.
Unhealthy Emotions: Credit card debt can cause unhealthy emotions that can take a toll on health. People can experience anxiety, frustration and a sense of hopelessness as the debt piles up and increasing amounts of money are needed just to pay the interest. This causes additional stress, which compounds with the stress from poor coping and self-neglect, to become a menacing amount of stress.
It's no wonder financial stress is one of the leading causes of stress. On our Stress Management Tips page, you can find resources to help you handle your financial situation and feel more in control of your life, reducing stress and helping you build toward a more secure future:
