5. Overeating and Weight Gain
Both Klontz and Gresham said that money stress often can lead to overeating and weight gain. “For a lot of people, their stress management skills are to eat carbs and sugar,” Gresham said. A poor diet and weight gain can lead to a host of health problems — from diabetes to heart attacks. Women’s health issues stemming from excess weight include infertility and breast cancer. Men’s health issues include prostate cancer.
Before you reach for a bag of chips, ask yourself whether you’re hungry or trying to cope with stress. And recognize that eating healthy and being healthy can save you money because you’ll spend less on junk food, health care and even insurance premiums.