When you think of a healthy lifestyle, you likely think of what you eat, how much you exercise, or how you feel. Many people forget about how their finances affect their health too. The wrong decisions can affect your mental and physical health, and even cause premature death.

How Financial Stress Affects Health

You may wonder how financial stress affects your health, after all, money has nothing to do with your health.

What does affect your health though, is stress, your lifestyle, and poor decisions. If you have too much financial stress, you could suffer from depression, anxiety, stomach issues, and headaches.

If your stress is long-term, it can even begin to affect your heart health. Many people that undergo too much stress end up having a heart attack or a compromised immune system.

The Benefits of Learning Proper Money Management

When you learn to properly manage your money, you’re better able to make sound financial decisions. It may not sound like it would benefit your physical health, but it does. Here’s how:

• You will have less stress – If you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck it can be hard to get enough sleep at night or to relax. Your stress levels will increase, and you’ll affect your overall health including being unable to fight off common illnesses.

• You won’t feel depressed – If a lack of money makes you depressed, you’ll feel better knowing you are handling your money correctly. When you know your bills are paid and your family’s needs are covered, it’s easier to be happy and live carefree.

• You’ll feel more confident – Making sound financial decisions can increase your self-confidence more than anything else. When you’re confident in yourself, you’re more likely to take care of yourself including going to the doctor, eating healthy, and exercising. 

Why Sacrificing Now Benefits you Later

You may feel like you’re constantly sacrificing for a future date. You save for a down payment on a house, for a wedding, to send your child to college. It may feel like every dollar you make is earmarked for a future date.

While it feels like a sacrifice now, it pays off in the long run. This is especially true with saving for retirement. If you save now and possibly even sacrifice, you’ll set yourself up for future success. Wouldn’t you rather have a happy and safe retirement than constantly feeling the financial worry you feel now?

Final Thoughts

Your financial health affects your overall health even when it doesn’t seem like it. Your financial decisions affect your mind, and your mind affects how you feel. When you don’t feel good or you’re constantly stressed, your body is in fight or flight mode all the time. This isn’t a good way for anyone to operate.

When you make solid financial decisions, aren’t living paycheck-to-paycheck, and are sure of your financial future, you’re more likely to feel good, take care of yourself, and experience overall better health in the long run.