Ancient wisdom says that “health is wealth.” But it turns out that the connection also works the other way. If you’re in a good financial position, you’re much more likely to be physically healthy. 

But why? 

In this post, we provide some answers. 

Muscle Tension

If you have a lot of debt, research shows that you’re more than twice as likely to experience muscle tension. The strain of trying to earn enough money to get out of debt causes the nervous system to fire, causing muscle fibres to contract, even when there’s no real reason for doing so. Muscle tension affects around half of all people in serious debt, compared to just 15 percent without. 

Digestion

Your money situation can also affect your gut health. When under heavy financial stress, people tend to experience more episodes of bloating, gas, heartburn and cramping. When the stress gets really bad, individuals can experience ulcers and other digestive tract issues. Rates are often many times those of people living without financial stress. 

Anxiety 

Figuring out whether to rent or buy a home? If so, you might be experiencing high levels of stress, leading to anxiety. 

According to research, financial issues cause around a third of all anxiety people experience. What’s more, many people on low incomes say that they deal with this stress by watching TV, living a sedentary lifestyle, and indulging in unhealthy habits, such as eating potato chips. 

Shame 

When your finances are riding high, you can feel quite proud of yourself. But when they start plummeting, it can create intense feelings of shame. You wonder why everyone else you know can manage their money, but you can’t. 

Shame can often lead people to isolate themselves from friends and family. They worry that they won’t have enough money to keep up with their activities. And so they avoid social interactions. This process, in turn, puts them at higher risk of anxiety and depression. 

Avoiding Going To The Doctor

People who have poor finances also avoid going to the doctor for help when they have a medical issue. There are several reasons for this. They worry about having to take time off work or paying medical bills. By contrast, those with healthy finances don’t think twice about paying the doctor a visit. 

Blood Pressure

Your money situation can also affect your blood pressure. When people undergo stress, it activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing the blood vessels to constrict, making it more difficult for the heart to pump blood around the system. 

High blood pressure is the leading cause of death globally and a serious condition. It creeps up on people without them noticing, striking when they least expect it. 

Studies link high levels of debt to higher blood pressures. For instance, research has found that young adults between the ages of 24 and 32 with high student loan payments are much more likely to have high blood pressure than those who don’t. 

So, in summary, your money situation can have a massive impact on your overall health. That’s why keeping your finances in check is so critical.