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Understanding the Correlation Between Mental & Financial Health Thumbnail

Understanding the Correlation Between Mental & Financial Health

If you are struggling with mental health, you may find financial health suffers as well as there’s a direct correlation between mental and financial wellness.


Mental and physical health correlate directly, as a mentally healthy person will ensure that they maintain physically healthy.

 

Approximately 20 percent of adults are impacted by mental illness.1 In fact, one study found that almost half of all people with debt problems also have mental health problems.2 Here’s an explanation of how health and wealth can often go hand-in-hand.

Avoidance of Problems

Money is the most common source of stress amongst adults.3 Therefore, it makes sense that dealing with bills, debt and budgeting is stressful. If you’re already feeling unwell, avoiding additional stress is understandable.

The problem is, avoiding your financial obligations won’t make them go away. And in many cases, it can actually make them worse. The temptation to push aside bill paying or phone calls to the credit card company is strong, but tackling these tasks on time or right away can create long-term relief.

Feelings of Hopelessness

When your mental health is struggling, it can be hard to think long-term. If you feel as though you’re losing control of the things around you today, what’s the point in trying to work toward future goals? Feelings of hopelessness can occur, and they can make long-term financial decision-making really tough.

Impulsive Spending 

Going hand-in-hand with loss of control is the urge to spend. When everything else seems to be spiraling, making a purchase can feel like something you actually have control over. The problem is, of course, this can lead to impulse buying - which can wreak havoc on your budget and increase debt. And with a lack of focus on facing your financial situation head-on, this could create a harmful cycle of spending more than you have while neglecting to address the accruing debt.

Decreased Energy

If your mental health is suffering, you’ll notice your energy levels decreasing as well. Fatigue, trouble sleeping and lack of focus can all be common symptoms of declining mental health or stress. With what energy you do have, it’s likely you don’t want to spend it on your financial obligations. But your financial wellbeing requires action and focus, especially if you are faced with a large amount of debt or a substantial long-term savings goal.

Hard to Think Clearly

When you’re not feeling your best, making sound, rational decisions can be challenging. Your judgment may be clouded by how you’re feeling right now, meaning it’s tough to try to think about your future - especially your financial future.

It’s likely the events of this past year have challenged your mental health in some way, and it’s okay to not always be okay. If you’ve found that your financial wellness may be suffering as a result of your mental health, feel free to reach out to our team at California Retirement Advisors, as we can help keep your spending and saving on track today while encouraging healthy financial habits that keep your long-term goals a priority. Contact us today at (888) 643-7472 to set up a meeting with one of our licensed advisors.

By Christian Cordoba
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
Founder, California Retirement Advisors

  1. https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/mental-health-month/
  2. https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/how-bad-credit-affects-mental-health/
  3. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-main-causes-of-stress-3145063

Investment advisory services offered through Mutual Advisors, LLC DBA California Retirement Advisors, a SEC registered investment adviser. Securities offered through Mutual Securities, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Mutual Securities, Inc. and Mutual Advisors, LLC are affiliated companies. CA Insurance license #0B09076. This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information and provided by California Retirement Advisors. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. California Retirement Advisors, nor any of its members, are tax accountants or legal attorneys and do not provide tax or legal advice. For tax or legal advice, you should consult your tax or legal professional.