The Correlation Between Physical Health and Financial Health

Eat, sleep, work, repeat. Eat, sleep, work, repeat. Gee, taking care of your financial health can seem like a perpetual cycle, can’t it? Then add in unexpected bills, family responsibilities and any other financial obligation life decides to throw at you, and it can be easy for your physical health to slip without you even noticing.

But did you know that your financial health and physical health are actually closely connected? So despite your best efforts to juggle both aspects of your life, if one is doing poorly, it’s likely the other won’t be looking so great either.

How does physical and financial health go hand-in-hand?

What the experts say

Research has repeatedly shown that a person’s financial position and physical state can interchangeably impact one another, quite significantly! To begin with, there’s the immediate effects that having little means or poor cashflow can bring, for example not being able to afford health insurance, health care, gymnasium memberships, quality foods, holiday breaks etc. But the link between the two factors goes far deeper than affordability.

In a study named Healthy, Wealthy and Wise: Retirement Planning Predicts Employee Health Improvements, researchers found that people who value their future finances and regularly put money aside for their retirement were also more likely to make better choices towards the future of their physical health.

“We found existing retirement-contribution patterns and future health improvements were highly correlated.”

– Healthy, Wealthy and Wise researcher.

Finances and stress-related health issues

It is a harsh reality that financial stress can negatively affect a person both mentally and physically. People who feel financially insecure typically spend a great deal of their time worrying about the future, with less time to take positive actions towards their current financial and physical health.

Monetary related worries often cause tension and anxiety, which can show in physical symptoms such as sleeping issues, chest pain, fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, sickness, palpitations and more. Furthermore, people who find themselves in poor health or suffer a disability may be forced to retire prematurely, which can lead to added financial uncertainty and stress for the future.

Health and the workplace

Employees who take good care of their physical health, engage in regular exercise and eat healthy diets are often more productive at work. They are less prone to catching illnesses and requiring sick days, and more likely to feel happy and confident in themselves. Subsequently, those who take pride in their health are often the ones who perform better in their role, stand out in the workplace and receive promotions and pay rises. Whereas those who do not value their wellbeing may struggle to balance their work and personal life.

Could your money problems be taking a toll on your physical health, or vice versa?

You don’t have to work harder or put a strain on your wellbeing to reach financial freedom. What you do need to have is access to the right advice, processes and plans to be able to make better choices now and in the future.

At Positive Dynamics, our clients benefit from ongoing, consistent health coaching. They have access to highly skilled health experts, such as personal trainers, whom over time we have formed strong relationships with. We can also assist you with planning, time allocation and adopting good habits into your routine, to keep you on track and accountable for your health.

If you are concerned about how your financial health is affecting your wellbeing you don’t have to suffer in silence. Call our team today who will get you back on the road to living the healthy life you and your family deserve – both physically and financially.