5 Ways Your Financial Habits Shape Your Physical Health
Summary: Your overall well-being is closely tied to your financial fitness. So, protect your financial health to help safeguard your physical health.
What’s the connection, you may ask? The discomfort that comes with not being financially stable often translates into disease of the mind and body. In research conducted by Bankrate, 52% of U.S. adults said money issues have a negative impact on their mental health, including causing stress.
If you notice your finances are unstable and shaky, you should pay close attention before it puts your physical health in jeopardy.
In this article, we’ll discuss five ways your financial habits shape your physical health and how to foster a positive relationship between the two.
5 ways your financial health impacts your physical health
1. Increased financial stress can lead to a decline in physical well-being
One of the primary ways your financial habits affect your physical health is through the stress they may induce.
When you are constantly under financial pressure, the body responds by releasing stress hormones like cortisol, which, over time, can lead to chronic health conditions including heart problems, high blood pressure and compromised immune function.
To help prevent this from happening, practice disciplined spending habits (with the help of a budget that aligns with your income and lifestyle), set realistic financial goals and simultaneously explore stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, yoga and exercise. All of these can help take care of your heart and mitigate the impact of financial stress on your physical health.
2. Financial fitness can promote physical fitness
Your financial fitness is not just about the numbers in your bank account; it’s also closely linked to your physical fitness.
A sedentary lifestyle, often associated with tight budgets and financial constraints, can negatively impact your health. And while gym memberships, nutritious food choices and wellness activities might seem like expenses at first, they are investments in your long-term health.
So, if you can, allocate a portion of your budget to fitness-related expenses, even if it means opting for affordable alternatives like home workouts or outdoor activities like hiking or walking.
If you prioritize physical fitness in your financial planning, you’re not only improving your health but also building a positive mindset that focuses on long-term well-being over short-term savings.
3. Unhealthy habits and their financial consequences
Your lifestyle choices can either fatten or drain your wallet. For instance, smoking is not only injurious to your physical health but is also a habit that can deplete your finances.
Paying for an unhealthy smoking habit takes away money that you could have, instead, spent on nutritious food, workout gear or preventive healthcare. Quitting this habit alone can lead to increased financial savings.
Studies found that a typical non-smoker’s net worth is about 50% higher than that of intermittent smokers. That says a lot. Take a look at the long-term financial consequences of any unhealthy habits you may have and take focused action on shedding them.
Put your well-being and that of your loved ones first by making informed, responsible choices. Doing so will improve your physical health while creating a more stable financial foundation for the future.
4. Financial habits and the impact on mental health
In addition to financial stress, bad financial habits such as taking on unnecessary debt through impulse purchases or engaging in gambling can profoundly affect your mental and physical health.
When individuals engage in these habits, they choose short-term gratification over long-term financial stability. This behavior can lead to mounting debt, strained relationships and increased stress levels. The constant worry about debt repayment and financial insecurity can exacerbate anxiety and depression, contributing to a decline in mental well-being.
Sometimes, a financial crisis may hit you unexpectedly, arising from circumstances beyond your control. In these situations too, the consequences of unexpected expenses can extend beyond mental health challenges. People facing sudden financial burdens may experience disrupted sleep patterns, elevated blood pressure, compromised immune function and heightened levels of stress.
To combat this, it’s essential to cultivate financial discipline, mindful spending habits and maintain an emergency fund. An emergency fund can offer a safety net during challenging times and reduce the mental strain associated with unforeseen financial setbacks.
Seeking professional assistance, such as financial counseling or therapy, can also help provide valuable support in overcoming unhealthy financial behaviors and staying resilient when financial crises occur.
5. Long-term planning and its enormous health benefits
Your financial habits extend beyond day-to-day spending. They also shape your long-term plans related to retirement.
For instance, if you start carefully saving for retirement, you’re not just setting a financial goal, you’re committing to helping ensure a comfortable and stress-free future for yourself and your loved ones. The peace of mind that comes with a well-thought-out retirement plan can positively impact your physical health by reducing stress and allowing you to enjoy your golden years with fewer financial worries.
So, take the time to assess your long-term financial goals, including retirement planning. Consider consulting a financial advisor to create a strategy that aligns with your health and lifestyle aspirations, ensuring a balance between enjoying the present and securing your future.
Towards better financial habits and stronger financial health
Your financial health impacts not just your pocketbook but also your physical health.
Prioritizing positive money management leads to financial independence, which contributes towards a secure and healthy life. By carefully assessing your financial habits and prioritizing your health goals, you can create a balanced approach that benefits both your wallet and your overall well-being.
Good health demands hard work but you don’t have to do it alone. Mutual of Omaha remains committed to helping provide you with the resources you need to help you through this journey.
Disclosures:
Registered Representatives offer securities through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representatives offer advisory services through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc.
Mutual of Omaha and its representatives do not provide tax and/or legal advice, and the information provided herein is general in nature and should not be considered tax and/or legal advice.
Not all Mutual of Omaha agents are registered representatives or financial advisors.