3 signs debt is impacting your health

Your mind and body send messages all the time, reflecting your current state of being. Listen for them. When you receive certain signals, you can take steps to improve your mental, physical, and spiritual condition and help yourself feel better. 

It’s no secret that money issues are a common stressor, and some level of stress is normal for all of us. 

How will you know if your debt stress is so high that it’s having a negative impact on your health? Here are three red flags to watch out for, and steps you can take.

1. You're anxious

Anxiety is a common condition that affects millions of people, and debt can trigger it. Some of the most common symptoms of debt anxiety include:

• Trouble concentrating

• Indecision

• Irritability or restlessness

• Heart palpitations

• Shortness of breath

• Stomach problems

• Sleeplessness

• A sense of panic or doom

Anxiety is a mental health condition that can affect your body in different ways. Potential health effects include an increased risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke, so it’s something to take seriously. 

2. You've gained weight

Debt stress can push your body to produce more cortisol. That's the hormone that controls your body's fight or flight response. 

Cortisol can make you crave certain foods, especially sweet or fatty ones, and it can slow down your metabolism at the same time. That could lead to a double whammy when you step on the scale. 

Too much cortisol can also raise your blood pressure and throw your sleep patterns out of whack. Lack of sleep can trigger other hormones in your body that control how hungry you feel and send you running to the pantry for a treat. 

Weight gain can trigger other side effects, like increased cancer risk, sleep apnea, or diabetes. You may also feel more anxious or depressed about the extra pounds, which can feed the cycle of stress. 

3. You're often sick

Stress can weaken your immune system, which could make you more susceptible to illness. This ties back to increased cortisol levels. If there's too much cortisol, your body becomes inflamed and it's harder for your white blood cells to fight off infection. 

So, ask yourself this: How often do you get colds, headaches, stomach bugs? And once you get them, how long do they stick around? 

If you notice that you're sick more often than other people and it takes you longer to recover, that could be a sign that stress is doing a number on your immune system. 

What you can do about debt stress

Debt stress and its cousin, debt shame, can take a toll on your health—but only if you let it. If you've read through this list and think your debt might explain some of the symptoms you have, know that there are things you can do about it. 

• Take a deep breath. Debt sucks sometimes, but it's not the end of the world. You have debt; so do other people. You're not alone, and debt help is out there. 

• Know what you owe. Writing down all your balances and monthly payments could help you decide how to approach your debt payoff plan. You can also make this easier with a debt paydown app.

• Contact your creditors. You have the right to ask your debt collectors not to contact you if you feel those calls add to your stress. Keep in mind, however, that just because phone calls stop, the debt doesn't go away. And if you can pay something toward your debt but need some breathing room, your creditors might be willing to offer hardship relief. 

• Try credit counseling. Credit counselors are trained to help people get control of their debt. A credit counselor could look at your income, debt, and budget to offer solutions that fit your situation.  

If you feel overwhelmed, get a free debt assessment and let a debt expert talk you through your options.

Last but not least, check up on your health. If you're concerned about stress-related symptoms and your physical or mental health, it may be worth a chat with your doctor or a therapist to rule out any serious problems that may need medical attention. Good health is the most valuable asset you can have as you tackle your debt.