Worrying about debt can affect every single aspect of your life. How we spend money and how we make money are huge parts of what we all think about, so it makes sense that owing money would also take up a lot of thinking space. The key difference in thinking about debt is that it makes us feel stressed, angry, upset, scared, sad and a number of other emotions. It can really take its toll on health, eventually leading to the problem becoming much bigger than one just about debt.

Yet debt is, in effect, a normal part of modern life – many people have credit cards and loans that they can manage easily. So debt in itself is not bad – it is only when it becomes unmanageable that it becomes a serious issue. Even people with a poor credit history are able to find loans for people with bad credit or other alternative types of loans, according to online broker Solution Loans; young people with no credit history at all can guarantor loans on which their parents can act as guarantor so it is easy to borrow money even if your credit history is not perfect. This ease with which people can find a loans no matter what their circumstances are can contribute to debt issues.

Sleep

Sleep is majory affected when we are stressed. Somebody in debt may struggle to sleep, worrying about the next threatening letter to fall through the letterbox, or the next bailiff to come to the door. This then leads to issues with day to day health as sleep is so important. If you are sleep deprived you may be aggressive, moody, more emotional, less able to cope with menial issues, and less able to cope with life in general. This could lead to depression or even more extreme mental health issues if the problem becomes extreme.

Physical Issues

Stress is known to have an affect on our physical health. Anything from headaches to stomach ache can be caused by stress. Stress is even thought to contribute to your risk of diseases like heart disease or some cancers. If debt is spiralling out of control, you may find that your stress about the situation is manifesting itself in your body. You may also notice you are comfort eating, or your appetite is minimal because you are stressed.

Becoming Debt Free & Stress Free

It is important to understand that getting rid of your debt may not be something you can achieve straight away, but creating a plan to pay it off is something you can achieve. Just having a date for being debt free, even if it is in five years, is going to have a huge effect on your health. Here are some suggestions on how to start your journey to being debt free:

●     Contact National Debtline and Citizens Advice if your situation is extreme, they offer impartial advice and support on debt resolution

●     Speak to a friend or family member - a problem shared is often a problem halved and the support you get from simply talking about your situation will help you feel better

●     Budget - it may simply be a case of making a few sacrifices for a few months that lead you to being debt free, and it will be completely worth it to be worry free

●     Make more money - whether it is through overtime, or doing some jobs on the side, the more money you make, the more you can use to pay off your debt quicker

●     Save more money - look at things you spend a lot of money that you don't need to, like buying coffee every morning, or buying brand name food instead of own brand

Being in debt is no fun, and you're not alone in suffering with your health because of it. Just remember that you deserve to be happy, healthy and debt free, and you can get there with a little time, effort and research.