Your financial advisors may tell you that some of the most noticeable signs that you’re struggling with your money are that you don’t have enough of it to cover your bills and you’re not finding it easy to prioritise your payments or even consider retirement planning.
However, the signs of money stress can go far beyond what’s immediately apparent by looking at your accounts. It can start to present itself as physical signs of stress, such as these below.
Headaches
Anything can cause a headache, such as a sensitised brainstem and triggers like particular food and beverages, exercise, and travel. However, money stress is most certainly something that can see the onset of a headache.
A study involving 267 people experiencing chronic headaches determined that in 45 percent of cases, a stressful event preceded it. Stress intensity was also thought to be linked to an increase in how many headaches some people experienced each month.
Sickness
It can sometimes feel like you’ve just got over a cold or the ‘flu before you’re immediately back under the bed covers once more. A weakened immune system that makes you more susceptible to some illnesses can be caused by stress.
Around 235 people in a study with high and low-stress groups were observed over half a year. The high-stress group experienced 70 percent more respiratory infections and had 61 percent more days of symptoms than those in the low-stress group.
If you get help with your money problems from financial advisors, you may notice that you can decrease your stress levels and sick days as a result.
Acne
Acne is something many people leave behind once they wave goodbye to their teenage years. But when you welcome the stressors of adulthood like money and money management, it may just rear its head once more.
When you’re stressed out, you may find yourself touching your face a lot more. Bacteria has a chance to spread, and it may result in acne. Some studies have also confirmed a possible association between acne and increased stress, with teenagers experiencing worsening acne during high-stress events like exams.
Digestive Problems
Never in your wildest dreams may you think that your money management problems are what’s causing you to experience stomach pain, diarrhoea, constipation, or bloating. However, it just might be.
Studies have made a possible connection between stressful events and digestive disorders, with some people experiencing increased digestive stress when faced with stressful situations. There may not yet be strong evidence to show how stress impacts your stomach, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’ve been under a great deal of pressure and have also experienced irregular bathroom habits.
Chronic Pain
It’s not out of the question to form a connection between stress and chronic pain. Some studies have shown that those with chronic pain had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their bodies than those without chronic pain.
The many studies looking at the link have shown an association, but they haven’t yet delved into the many possible factors. Although, if you feel like you experience more pain and more stress, you may like to talk to your doctor about whether the two are related.
Insomnia
Stress has all the power when it comes to your sleep routine. When you’re overcome with money problems and haven’t yet asked financial advisors for help, you may find yourself lying awake for hours at night. Studies have also shown that the more stressful events you experience, the higher your potential risk of insomnia might be.
It’s unnerving to know that your money issues may be what’s causing your physical symptoms of stress. To alleviate those symptoms, you may need to start addressing the cause of them: money.