It seems that the 2008 recession was the best example of debt-gone-bad. It was a powerful reminder for everyone to either experience or witness the damaging and catastrophic effects of debt. It’s surprising then, that as of August 2017, American debt levels have surpassed those documented in the peak of the 2008 recession. Although media coverage exposed the personal stress resulting from the financial consequences of the recession, it ignored the resulting physical health ailments.
It seems that the 2008 recession was the best example of debt-gone-bad. It was a powerful reminder for everyone to either experience or witness the damaging and catastrophic effects of debt.
Could it be that if individuals knew their health was at stake, they’d be less inclined to borrow irresponsibly? Or that they’d be less inclined to ignore their financial picture as it pertains to their physical self?
There’s no doubt carrying debt is stressful. But what many don’t realize is that the chronic stress from debt negatively impacts one’s overall well-being.
Here are six ways debt reduction is crucial to your physical well-being.
Increased anxiety
You’ve likely heard of fight or flight—the bodies instinctive protective measure to react to danger. Fight or flight should occur at times of real imminent danger. Anxiety, however, puts the body into a protective overdrive. In a sense, the body senses impending risk when there is none. While fear of creditors’ threats and losing one’s home are undoubtedly real, anxiety heightens these feelings.
A body in a constant state of anxiety is left exhausted from being overworked. Also, an anxious person can be impatient, irritable and detached.
The ailments resulting from anxiety include headaches, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and shaking.
High blood pressure
There’s a certain amount of pressure in the cardiovascular system as the heart moves blood throughout the body. High blood pressure results from the heart having to work harder than usual to transport the blood. Stress (e.g., stress arising from debt) can cause what otherwise would be normal blood pressure to rise.
Poor coping mechanisms are often leveraged to manage stress, thereby worsening high blood pressure. These strategies might include smoking, alcohol, poor food choices, and more sedentary activities.
High blood pressure is unique from other ailments as it can exist undetected for years while damaging the cardiovascular system. The arteries may become damaged, becoming less elastic and narrowed. The chambers and function of the heart can be impacted. Stroke and dementia are possible. And the kidneys, responsible for filtering one’s blood, may be damaged too.
Muscle tightness
Imagine watching a scary movie. The muscles will tighten when something terrible is about to happen, which is a typical response. Once the frightening portion of the film ends, the muscles relax. Similarly, the stress of debt can cause tension in the muscles too. In contrast, though, the muscles remain tense, unable to rest as the body exists in a constant state of fear.
Long-term muscle tightness, while uncomfortable, may also result in tension and migraine headaches. This discomfort makes enjoying regular activities and functioning well in the workplace increasingly challenging.
While it’s possible to alleviate the discomfort of tense muscles by stretching, getting a massage, taking a hot shower, or even taking a pill for pain, the tension will likely return until the cause—in this case, debt—is eliminated.
Sleeplessness
A good night’s sleep is the best way to start any day. A solid night’s rest helps one to maintain their focus, hold a positive outlook, and exude a sense of calm. Sadly, high levels of stress and resulting anxiety disrupt one’s ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Even the best sleeping conditions, like fine linens, limited noise, and limited light, will be hard-pressed to combat the sleeplessness resulting from stress.
Sleep is the body’s chance to heal itself. During sleep, blood vessels repair themselves, the brain forms new connections for memory function, and restoration of the body’s chemicals occurs.
Limited sleep has far-reaching effects on one’s physical health. Obesity, overeating, and increased risk of diabetes all have a negative impact on one’s growth and development, and overall decreased immunity has links to poor sleep.
Weight gain
Similar to sleeplessness, excess weight is more likely when stressed about debt. Picture yourself drowning your worries of debt into a big cheeseburger or a tub of ice cream. It might seem that comfort foods are purely a coping mechanism, but the craving is more physiological, making weight gain more likely.
As previously mentioned, the body exists in a constant state of fight or flight when under stress. Protecting the body from starvation—an historical reaction that was beneficial for handling famine—results in the body beginning to hold fat in the belly. For better or for worse, the body reacts to fear the same way today as it did hundreds of years ago.
Belly fat, on its own, releases chemicals that trigger inflammation, increasing the likelihood of ailments like heart disease and diabetes.
In addition to excess belly fat, the stress from debt can trigger a variety of hormones. These hormones create intense cravings for salty and sugary sweets, and it’s this type of diet that wreaks havoc on one’s metabolism, establishing blood energy highs and very low lows.
Low energy
Persisting debt and feelings of constant fatigue often go hand-in-hand. As carrying debt can sometimes feel like a physical weight being hauled around, tiredness plagues those with debt.
Stress in general (from debt or otherwise) causes the adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys, to release a hormone known as cortisol. Similar to anxiety, cortisol is meant to prepare the body for action. Also, similar to the fight or flight response, the release of cortisol is intended for short-term work, not the more long-term effects of something like stress.
High levels of cortisol are released when the body is under stress, eventually taxing the adrenal glands. Over time, the adrenal glands become unable to produce enough of what your body needs to feel good.
It is this fatigue that leaves one feeling consistently low in energy when experiencing stress from debt.
High levels of cortisol, over time, may result in a lower immune function, decreased bone density, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a more depressed immune function.
The bottom line
Debt, while strictly financial, has both psychological and physical consequences. Acknowledging the seriousness of debt can help a person find the motivation to combat their debt in the first place.
If the financial benefits of debt reduction aren’t enough to motivate change, perhaps a focus on one’s health will do the trick. In essence, debt is bad psychologically, physically, and emotionally too. Debt, similar to a chronic disease, requires a treatment plan, and should never be ignored.
Whether it’s a car, student loan, personal loan, or credit card debt, always try to keep it under control to stay in harmony and reduce negative health impacts.