Is Stressing Out Over Money Hurting Your Health?

You hate to admit it, but even if you don’t say it out loud, “I’m so stressed out” describes how you feel most of the time. Work is stressful. Getting the kids to daycare, school, and to all of their activities is stressful. Helping your aging parents is stressful. Dealing with a challenging medical situation in your family is stressful.

And your financial stress is always there.

You haven’t been to the gym in months. You look forward to a glass of wine (or two) each night. You’re snapping at your kids and your partner too often. And you can’t remember the last time you had a good night’s sleep. Payday is the only day you feel some relief — but it doesn’t last for long. Your stress about money is hurting your health. And you’re not alone.

Why Is There So Much Financial Stress?

You don’t have to look far too far to find statistics about large numbers of people feeling stressed about money.

• Even with many positive indicators, a 2018 Federal Reserve Report on the Economic Well-being of U.S. Households showed that 40% of people surveyed couldn’t cover a $400 emergency expense without selling something or borrowing money.
• Revolving balances on credit card debt in the average American household is almost $7,000.
• 70% of college graduates (over 44 million Americans) have student loan debt averaging over $37,000.
• In a 2017 survey by…