The Impacts of Financial Stress on Our Bodies & Possible Solutions
Financial stress is not new to our culture – decades of inequities in housing, education, jobs and civil rights have resulted in difficult living conditions for many of our folks. Nonetheless, over these many decades, BIPOC have demonstrated remarkable resilience and self-efficacy.
However, in terms of financial stability, Black and Latino families are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Research shows that 58% of Latino households and 53% of Black households experienced a decline in employment income since March 2020. This is compared to Asian households, 44%; and White households, 39% (jchs.harvard.edu).
Research has also found that African-American men and women who experienced moderate to high financial stress had almost three times greater risk of heart disease events — including heart attacks and procedures to investigate or treat heart disease — than those who did not experience financial stress. Individuals with mild financial stress had nearly two times the risk (jchs.Harvard.edu).
It’s no surprise that the big and little stresses of life can have a significant impact on your overall health and well-being — no matter who you are. But for Black womyn, financial stress and its health effects can be amplified.
While all womyn face stressors, Linda Goler Blount, President and CEO of the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) says that “the inequities in the impact of stress on the health and well-being of Black women cannot be ignored. The lived experiences of Black women speak to the overwhelming stress in their lives.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)Trusted Source, Black womyn have a life expectancy that is 3 years shorter on average than white women, and some of the root causes may be related to financial stress. Furthermore, data collected from BWHI’s Index shows that Black womyn have an 85 percent higher rate of medical provider visits for high blood pressure than their white counterparts.
Blount states that, “Black women die from strokes due to high blood pressure at higher rates than white women. And we know there are strong links between stress and high blood pressure. We also know that 1 out of 2 Black womyn suffers from some type of heart disease, much caused by stress in some way - Stress is killing us”.
A report published by BWHI, “What Healthy Black Women Can Teach Us About Health”, informs us of ways to save ourselves – check it out!
The Goddess Commune Offers A Few Possible Solutions Here:
DIY Financial Wellness -
Let’s eliminate the stigma behind “financial lack” that keeps our families from reaching out for help. This phenomenon promotes unwanted stress in our bodies. Reaching out to family, friends, community members and financial service agencies provides options to holding onto a difficult situation.
Who’s on your list to hold you accountable when you need a little support?
Research shows that having a support system can help you reach your goals. Surround yourself with people you trust who will support your financial goals and want to help you succeed.
Identify your financial stressors and make a plan. Take stock of your financial situation and where money causes you stress. Write down ways you and your family can reduce expenses or manage your money more efficiently. Then commit to a plan and review it regularly. Although this can be anxiety-provoking in the short term, writing a plan and sticking to it can reduce stress. If you’re having trouble paying bills or staying on top of debt, reach out for help by calling your landlord, bank, utilities or credit card company to set up a payment plan.
Many womyn and their families seek financial planning services and have found them especially helpful. A financial planner can help you discover ways to change your relationship with money, teach you how to chart and modify your spending habits and help you identify financial streams offered by your local family support agencies. They can also discuss options such as filing for bankruptcy and choices that may alleviate the strain on your pocket book. Most counties are funded by the state to support households with dependent children. Check your county’s webpage for updated information on free financial support.
So, What Self-Care Methods Should We ALL Be Considering?
Here are some options to help with relaxation and stress-management in this present time and beyond:
Be selective about what you’re tuning into to, e.g. – the news (especially political news) and some social media sites can trigger anxiety and contribute to negative emotions.
Find your “tribe” of sister-friends who can lend an ear and “a heart” when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Professional therapy is highly recommended for ALL of us (since we all have some degree of “baggage”); and there are now numerous options for BIPOC womyn of color seeking therapists of color. If you’re currently searching, Leticia Vaca, LCSW, founder of Urban Health Group LLC (urbanhealthgroupllc.com) is highly recommended for healthcare navigation and mental health support, and is located in Oakland, CA. Salina Harrigan, LCSW, founder of Guiding Peace, (salinaharrigan@guidingpeace.com) provides services in the East Bay and is able to address issues of family trauma and end of life planning. Brandi Jackson, LCSW, at Brandi Jackson Wellness (brandijacksonwellness.com), is another womyn-of-color therapist. Brandi provides a broad spectrum of services which are 100% online! You can also check her out on YouTube.
Other family services in the East Bay include:
ACCESS PROGRAM 1-800-491-9099 (Alameda County) www.acbhcs.org
LIFELONG MEDICAL CARE 1-510-981-4100 (Alameda County) www.lifelongmedical.org
Physical activity detoxifies & oxygenates the body, decreases stress, lowers blood pressure, wards off viruses and much more. Walking, yoga, running, biking and even stretching can help to calm and clear the mind.
Mindfulness practices are known to reduce blood pressure and calm an active mind. Try meditation, prayer, calm music, journaling, etc.
Finally, we have so much to be grateful for – let’s rely on one another to ensure that we thrive mind, body and spirit! Visit www.thegoddesscommune.org to find the right Medicine Womyn for you!