In today’s world, where awareness of prevention and mental health is growing, one crucial aspect is often overlooked: the role our personal financial situation plays in our (mental) health. Financial circumstances are a key factor in both our mental and physical well-being. Yet, far too little is said about this. It's time that changed.

Elvira Häusler
Financial circumstances are a key factor in our well-being. Yet, far too little is said about this.

The Challenge: Financial Worries as a Health Risk

Not knowing where the money for the next rent payment or major expense will come from is distressing. It causes stress. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stress is one of the greatest health threats of the 21st century. Prolonged stress can even make us ill in the long run. A study conducted by Blackrock in Switzerland in 2019 found that money is the number one stress factor in life for 55 percent of Swiss people. Ranking even higher than concerns about their health.

Financial worries can affect our physical health as well as our mental well-being. Gender-specific studies also show that women are more affected. The gendered division of roles in relationships – she takes care of the household, he earns the money – is not only a major contributor to women’s increased risk of poverty, but also pushes many women to the point of exhaustion.

The problem is that this can easily lead to a vicious cycle: When we suffer from acute financial stress, that stress often paralyzes us. As a result, we struggle to deal with the actual problems or take care of our lives. On top of that, feelings of shame and social withdrawal often arise.

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A Well-Regulated Nervous System Is Half the Battle

Financial situations often can't be changed easily. That makes it all the more important to focus on the other side of the equation: our health and resilience. With effective stress management, we can already make a big difference.

This might look like the following:

  • Create awareness: As simple as it may sound, it's important to become aware of the health risks associated with stress rather than suppressing or ignoring them. This is especially important if we're already noticing physical symptoms of stress.
  • Talk about it instead of ignoring it: Few things are as uncomfortable for us as talking about money and our financial situation. We tend to hide or conceal the truth, which creates even more pressure and stress. Often, the situation becomes more manageable simply by confiding in a few close people, so we don’t have to carry the burden alone.
  • Stress regulation and management: Many stress management techniques such as meditation, mindfulness practices, or breathing exercises can be learned online for free and significantly support mental health. Learn a few simple techniques to regulate your nervous system. Good stress regulation also contributes to emotional stability.
Elvira Häusler
Financial situations often can't be changed easily. That makes it all the more important to focus on the other side of the equation: our health and resilience.

How to Invest in Your Health Without a Budget

The global wellness market is estimated at 6.5 trillion dollars and is booming. No wonder we feel insecure, and the belief that «health has to be expensive» has become widespread. But we shouldn't let ourselves be fooled by that. We can learn to sleep better without a fitness tracker, and a balanced diet is possible without «green goddess powders».

Again, the principle applies: direct your energy toward areas you can actively influence, like sleep, movement, nutrition, or building healthy habits. There are also plenty of free resources and community programs that promote health education and empowerment.

Investing in body and mind is like financial investing:
The best time to start was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.

Note: Stress isn’t inherently negative. In this context, we’re talking about distress: when the demands or burdens we face exceed our ability to cope.

*This article was originally published on our website in German on 3 May 2024.