There have been a spate of debt and health articles in the press recently. The credit crunch is bringing them out of the woodwork, I guess. We know we’re all sick of debt, but had we realised how many of us are becoming sick because of it? The statistics are scary stuff, of 1,000 people in debt surveyed;

• 27 percent had ulcers or digestive tract problems, compared with 8 percent of those with low levels of debt stress.
• 44 percent had migraines or other headaches, compared with 15 percent
• 29 percent suffered severe anxiety, compared with 4 percent
• 23 percent had severe depression, compared with 4 percent
• 6 percent reported heart attacks, double the rate for those with low debt stress
• 51 percent, had muscle tension, including pain the lower back. That compared with 31 percent of those with low levels of debt stress.

This is not, however a great surprise. I used to be a nurse. I worked in a poor area of London and saw the effects of money worries on people. They got sick earlier, were poorly nourished, looked older and had shorter life expectancy. At that time, only people living in poverty displayed such severe symptoms. Now, people on healthy middle class incomes are suffering in the same way.

In one decade our societies have become dependent on credit and borrowing. We had a huge cultural shift towards carrying as much credit as we could, extending ourselves to the limit. Now that interest payments are rising, many people are finding themselves overextended and not able to meet payments. There will be thousands more joining the many already in debt.

Debt has replaced relationship breakdown as the biggest stressor in our society. Malnutrition is appearing in middle income groups as the price of food rises and people cut back on the wrong expenses.

Being in debt, itself, doesn’t need to make us ill. As long as you are on top of it and managing it, you can carry it and work your way out. It’s important to look after yourself whilst in debt - you are your best resource, so manage that resource well.

• Make sure you eat well - buy whatever fruit and vegetables are in season or on special offer and be sure to eat them. Even better, consider growing your own, the exercise is good and will help you sleep too.
• Put aside a few minutes each day when you will be constructive about your debt. Use the time to plan and budget.
• If you are losing sleep, write a journal, record your worries and successes.
• Learn to relax

I know that last one is easier said than done. I found it the hardest to do. We run leadership seminars for people with stressful jobs. One of the things we teach is relaxation, so that people can clear their minds and be resourceful problem solvers. We give them a CD of short meditations to use. Many of them find it helps and still use it years later. So I’m going to include a short relaxation for you to listen to, in this post. Please try it. If it helps, share it with others.

Heart meditation

Let me know if it’s useful.