How to Handle Debt Stress

If you can't keep up with a growing financial burden, odds are it's causing you some measure of stress. Stress doesn't only have a psychological impact, but a physical one as well. It can leave you suffering from illnesses such as high blood pressure and ulcers. From 10 million to 16 million Americans suffer from physical ailments directly connected to their stress levels, according to a 2008 survey commissioned by the Associated Press and AOL Health. Thus, learning how to handle your debts and the stress they cause is a crucial factor in maintaining your health.

Instructions

1

Make an appointment with your doctor to address any physical symptoms of stress you suffer from. You could be suffering from a legitimate medical condition that your doctor can treat, possibly easing some of your physical discomfort.

2

Exercise regularly. Exercise releases endorphins that fight anxiety and depression -- two common side effects of stress. Exercise has been shown to decrease the amount of norepinephrine in the bloodstream, lowering the odds that stressing over your debts will leave you with high blood pressure.

3

Talk to a qualified financial counselor. If you cannot find a solution on your own, a financial counselor can evaluate your debts, your income and your current budget to help you find a way out of debt. Taking action and working to remedy your financial problems can help you feel better about the situation as a whole, and may reduce the stress you feel because of your debts.

4

Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation or a structured deep-breathing exercise. When performed properly, relaxation techniques improve your alertness and focus -- helping you work through your debt problems constructively rather than simply worrying.

5

Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. For example, when you find yourself thinking about your overwhelming debt, banish that thought and replace it with a positive thought about eliminating your financial problems. Positive thinking improves your psychological health. In turn, this lowers your stress levels and helps you maintain your physical health during particularly stressful times in your life.