July 18, 2022
5 Ways Your Student Loans Are Affecting Your Health
It is a well-known fact that stress can negatively affect your physical and mental health. Increasing student loan debt paired a global pandemic and presidential turnover, it’s no surprise that college students are feeling stress at an all-time high. Stress can creep into your daily life and affect you in ways you may not be aware of. If you have found yourself feeling uncomfortable in day-to-day life lately, your student loan debt might be part of the reason why. Here are five ways your student loans are affecting your health and what you can do to help yourself get back on track.
Your Sleep Schedule
If you’ve found yourself tossing and turning in the early hours of the morning, it could be because your brain is having trouble deactivating your “flight or fight '' mode. This is the brain's biological response to the anxiety of a perceived threat. The official Sleep Foundation website explains that those suffering from stress or anxiety may find falling and staying asleep troublesome due to the brain’s state of hyperarousal and increased sleep reactivity. For those suffering from insomnia or disrupted sleep, talk therapy, meditation, and anti-anxiety medications can help. Speak to a physician or psychiatrist before trying any medications. Building a consistent sleep routine can help reduce stress around sleeping as well. It is also recommended to avoid caffeine and alcohol near bedtime and take up exercise as a stress reliever.1Aches and Pains
Student loan debt often comes with other stressors such as school and work. Physical symptoms of this stress may include headaches, muscle tension, and an upset stomach. Over-the-counter medicines such as Pepto Bismol and Tylenol can help reduce the symptoms of a stressed stomach or hypertension headaches. Heating pads and Epsom Salt baths can relax tense muscles causing pain. Staying hydrated and eating well can also reduce the symptoms of stress and increase productivity in the workplace, which is vital to the success of young graduates.2Depression
A debt of any kind can invoke feelings of inadequacy and deliver a blow to one's self-esteem. Student loan debt in particular often leads to depression due to the vulnerability of its young victims and the uncertainty of all those still working towards their degree or entering the workforce. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America states that symptoms of depression may include feelings of:- Hopelessness
- Guilt
- Worthlessness
- Fatigue
- A loss of interest in hobbies and activities
- A low sex drive
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Self-harm, and suicidal thoughts or tendencies.3
