How Financial and Physical Health Impact One Another

Sarah Broderick RN, BSN, CRRN

Studies show that people who experience financial stress are more likely to have poor physical health including an increased risk of chronic health conditions. This is huge! Physical and financial wellness are part of the multidimensional layers of wellness. Why do physical and financial wellness play such a huge role together to have such profound effects on one another?

Firstly, healthcare is very expensive. If someone is struggling financially, they may be going without health insurance, medications or treatments needed to maintain their health. When a person is not able to take care of their health, conditions can escalate and cause more money, stress and emotional turmoil. This in turn, puts people at higher risk for mental health issues which then cause more physical issues.  It could also be the other way where individuals and families struggling financially are at higher risk of mental health issues due to stress.  Poor physical health can be caused from high stress levels

Next, suffering from health issues impacts a person's ability to perform their job or they may not be able to work at all. This then has the potential to decrease or completely eliminate their income. Thus, adding more financial and emotional stress to their situation, especially if they are incurring medical bills for whatever condition it is they are suffering from. 

Lastly, something everyone can relate to, lifestyle choices. We all make choices every single day. Whether those choices are good for our health or not is up to each and every one of us.  Unfortunately, for people struggling with finances, it becomes more difficult to afford clean nutritious foods, as those foods tend to be more expensive. Buying fruits and vegetables can negatively affect a person’s bank account even though it is good for their physical health.   In conclusion, there are multiple reasons that show financial and physical health are heavily connected. By learning and working on each area of wellness, your quality of life can only improve.