How Are Our Emotional, Physical, And Financial Health Connected?

Many of us would rather hit the gym or watch Netflix to relieve stress instead of sitting down and looking at our finances. Money stress can feel heavy. But here’s the truth: financial stability (or instability) doesn’t just affect your wallet—it touches your emotional health, your physical health, and even your relationships.

So why spend all our energy treating stress symptoms instead of working on the root cause?

What Money Is Really For:

At its best, money has three simple purposes:

• To cover needs
• To give a sense of security
• To help enjoy life

That’s why saving—even a little—is powerful. It’s not about expecting the worst. It’s about giving yourself breathing room when life throws its curveballs (and life always throws curveballs).

John and Joe: A Tale of Two Paychecks

John and Joe are best friends and hardworking managers at the same plant.

• John and his wife made saving a habit. Over time, they built an emergency fund with about four months of living expenses.
• Joe and his wife focused on enjoying life as it came. They lived paycheck to paycheck – always planning to start saving “tomorrow.”

Then one day, the plant shut down and both were laid off.

• Joe’s story: With no savings, bills quickly piled up. Credit cards filled the gap, and stress filled the house. Arguments started, and the fear of losing the car or home weighed heavily. Out of desperation, Joe grabbed the first job he could find—whether it fit or not.
• John’s story: With savings in place, John still felt the sting of losing his job, but he had time. He adjusted his budget, searched for new opportunities, and kept life at home relatively calm. The kids even got to stay in their activities.

The Takeaway

An emergency fund won’t stop bad things from happening, but it can stop a setback from becoming a full-blown meltdown. Think of it as emotional bubble wrap for your whole family.

It gives you:

• Financial stability — bills get paid without panic
• Emotional security — less stress and more peace of mind
• Physical health benefits — better sleep, fewer money-related headaches

And if you’re reading this thinking, “Great, but I’m definitely Joe right now,” don’t panic—you’re not alone. The point isn’t to feel guilty about the past—it’s to see the difference a little cushion can make and to start building one for yourself, even in small steps. Every dollar saved is one less dollar of stress.

So the next time you’re tempted to skip saving because “it’s only a little,” remember: small steps add up. And future-you will thank present-you for creating it!

No Matter What Your Situation Is, You Can Change It!

Remember, You’ve Got This!