Financial stress and marriage
A  healthy marriage is good for a couple’s mental and physical health. In Western cultures like the US, more than 90 percent of people marry by age 50 however about 40 percent to 50 percent of married couples in the US end up in divorce. And one of the leading causes of divorce is financial stress. Actually some even claim that financial stress is the number one cause of divorce and divorce is also the number one reason for people filing bankruptcy. How exactly does financial stress affect a marriage?

Effect of Financial Stress in a Couple’s Sex Life and Love Life

All marriages are burdened with some sort of financial stress. Financial stress in a marriage can actually result in another type of stress known as chronic stress. Chronic stress happens when a married couple suffers from insufficient funds to cover debt over a long period of time and when married partners suffer from chronic stress for quite a long time this can diminish their sexual desire.
A lack of sexual desire between a married couple leads to a lack of intimacy in marriage which only increases their even more.
When a woman suffers from chronic stress, it can actually prevent her from achieving orgasm while chronic stress in men can cause temporary impotence.

Financial Stress and Fights

Married partners who are under a lot of financial stress can cause them to react angrily towards each other, using hurtful words and loud voices with the slightest provocation. And at times, people who are struggling with financial stress tend to drink alcohol more often, abuse drugs and/or smoke more. This unhealthy action only decreases a married couple’s available funds to pay incoming bills causing more financial stress. All of these stress coping behaviors tend to result in increased arguments between the married couple. They may blame each other for the financial problems, causing ongoing arguments and these conflicts provoke a chain reaction that results in a decrease in socializing together with friends and family. In short, financial stress can lead to two other type of stress called emotional stress and social stress.

Financial Stress and its Link to Health Problems

According to various stress studies, ongoing chronic stress in a marriage can increases each partner’s risk of serious health problems. Various stress studies confirm that stress and depression have a relation to each other as well as stress and heart disease and stress and obesity. The effects of chronic stress tend to sneak up on individuals and can cause a decrease in productivity at work, crying spells, increased fatigue, anxiety, and withdrawal from each other and friends. Severely high cortisol levels caused by chronic stress, according to the American Institute of Stress, can also result in higher incidence of miscarriage.
The health problems from chronic financial stress can be long-lasting, especially if exacerbated by unhealthy stress coping techniques like alcohol, drugs or nicotine. All of these health problems and financial worries usually result in couples spending less time together. This fact makes financial stress a leading cause of marital conflict and divorce.

Effect of Financial Stress to Fertility

Financial stress affects fertility because stress hormones affect the hypothalamus gland which produces reproductive hormones. When either partner suffers from infertility, it also increases stress in marriage as they feel the pressure and frustration of not having a baby even when they desire to have one. And when there’s a huge desire to have a child, they can increase their expenses as they seek medical treatment which results in more financial stress.

Everywhere we turn, people seem to all be suffering from some type of financial stress. How can they not? Life has become more expensive nowadays what with the rise of consumerism.
Learn how to avoid the unnecessary worry that comes from financial stress and protect your children from sharing and feeling the family’s financial stress. Here are some steps you can do to protect your children from financial stress:

Financial Stress Control Step 1

The first and foremost important thing to remember is that financial stress is an adult issue. There is no need to burden your kids with money matters resulting in financial stress. Doing so will only cause emotional stress for them such as fear and insecurity.

Financial Stress Control Step 2

When times are tight, it’s best to tighten your belts to prevent yourself from suffering from financial stress. But next time your kid asks for something and you can’t afford it, tell them so. But choose your words carefully. Remember financial stress is hard enough to deal with. You don’t want to add emotional stress on your kids as well do you?

Financial Stress Control Step 3

Even when you’re under a lot of financial stress, avoid discussing money problems or arguing about spending, bills, overdue payments and such in front of your children. Doing so will only create unnecessary stress and even guilt on them.

Financial Stress Control Step 4

Saving money has taken on a new meaning. Conservation and going green are hot topics. So make use of these two money saving strategies. Teach your kids about learning to conserve water or turning off unused appliances. Teaching them to be conservative has two benefits: they help you out in reducing your financial stress problems and they help save the planet.

Financial Stress Control Step 5

Having financial stress doesn’t mean you can’t take your kids out shopping some times. Make your shopping interesting by going to consignment shops, thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets. You can find great items at a fraction of a cost! Plus, kids love scavenger hunts and you just might surprise yourself  by finding out that you also enjoy bargain shopping!

Financial Stress Control Step 6

Being under financial stress can be an opportunity for more family time. You can protect your kids from being stressed out with the lack of money by making them focus on the positive aspects of having a bit less. Go hiking instead of going mall shopping. Bake your own pizza. Rent DVDs instead of going to a movie theatre.

Financial Stress Control Step 7

Change your perspective from needing more ‘stuff’ to knowing that you already have everything you need. Be grateful for and focus on what you do have. Not only will this significantly offer stress relief for you, but your kids will learn appreciation as well!

Financial Stress Control Step 8

Realize that financial patterns, as well as everything else in the universe, have an ebb and flow. We may be in the ‘ebb’ phase for awhile but it won’t be long before we get back into the ‘flow’.
If you and your family and friends are experiencing financial stress at the moment, know that this too, shall pass. Make the best of what you do have and appreciate being a part of the abundance in life. Adopting a positive attitude will maintain peace in your home and protect your children from financial stress and fear. Try making your two favorite words, “thank you.” An attitude of gratitude creates a major shift in your thinking and will get you back into the flow.