{"id":4580,"date":"2024-05-07T15:46:50","date_gmt":"2024-05-07T15:46:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beyondfinance.com\/blog\/?p=4580"},"modified":"2024-05-07T15:46:51","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T15:46:51","slug":"making-ends-meet-how-to-cope-with-financial-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beyondfinance.com\/blog\/making-ends-meet-how-to-cope-with-financial-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"Making Ends Meet:\u00a0How to Cope with Financial Stress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We often tell our clients<\/a> about financial stress: “Debt is something you have; it\u2019s not who you are.\u201d It\u2019s a sentiment that begs repeating because of the overwhelming mental health issues worrying about money can cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that money is a volatile source<\/a> of stress among 72% of U.S. adults<\/strong><\/a>. Name the subject and people worried about it\u2013rent, the car, groceries, or daily living. The tension people experience related to money is typically connected with the absence of having it.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial stress is challenging to understand, manage and rectify. Discussing money and dealing with the headache it can cause forces anyone to face vulnerability. Financial concerns are everywhere because of economic instability, inflation, and a skyrocketing cost of living. Unfortunately, worry is all many people can afford to do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With 78% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck<\/strong><\/a>, one emergency or unplanned expense can derail a household budget and create physical and mental health issues. Beyond Finance spoke with our financial experts<\/a> about ways to tackle financial stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the Physical Issues of Financial Stress <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"financial<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In light of May being \u201cMental Health Awareness Month<\/strong>,\u201d it\u2019s important to know how financial stress can affect you emotionally and physically. Late collection calls, pink bills threatening your livelihood, and late fees in your checking account come with a price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also important to understand stress is a good sign because it means your body is working overtime to protect you from a threat. That automatic \u201cfight-or-flight\u201d response is also known as a \u201cstress response<\/a>.\u201d Although the body\u2019s response to stress is a good sign, it can reap bad results if financial stress gets out of control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Howard E. LeWine, chief medical editor of Harvard Health Publishing, writes, \u201cThe carefully orchestrated yet near-instantaneous sequence of hormonal changes and physiological responses helps people fight off the threat or flee to safety. Unfortunately, the body can also overreact to stressors that are not life-threatening, such as traffic jams, work pressure, and family difficulties.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the most common manifesting signs of financial stress*?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n