There is no doubt that debt can cause stress to a person both physically and mentally.  The definition of stress states this, and if you are not careful you could become seriously ill when under a great deal of stress.  Debt is no doubt a leading cause of many people's stress, even if they have their debt levels under manageable control.  In order to deal with stress you have to be aware of it, and by handling your debt as soon as possible - whether it's simply by acknowledging that your debt has spiralled out of control or by taking full blown measures to manage it - you are going to make sure that you remain healthy enough to deal with anything that comes your way. 

Human beings were designed to deal with the daily levels of stress that we experience every day, but when you find that worrying about your bills and the amount of debt you are dealing with starts to intrude on daily life you will find yourself wearing down.  You can lose sleep worrying about how you will pay your bills.  You can become anxious every time the phone rings or the post comes flying through the slot in your door.  The longer this goes on, the worse your stress will become and the sicker you will get.  However there are ways of dealing with the stress that will allow you to more easily handle the burdens of debt.  You cannot take care of your debt without a clear mind. 

Stress management is important as debt management and understanding the symptoms of stress - anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, etc. - is important.  When you feel your stress levels starting to climb you can counteract it by doing something that you enjoy.  Get up and exercise.  Take a walk.  Watch a favourite movie.  Do something that makes you feel good and takes your mind off of your debt problems for a little while.  Once you do this, you will feel yourself becoming more grounded and able to cope.  If you cannot handle the stress you are under, ask a professional for help.  Do something for yourself that you like at least once a day to help you feel in control. 

Once you feel in control then you need to start a plan on how to tackle the tasks that are in front of you to handle your debt.  Make a budget and stick to it.  Seek out professional help and put a debt management plan in place that makes it easier for you to pay your bills.  Make a daily list of things you need to do and check them off as you complete them, including paying your bills.  Add to that list things that make you feel good and you will see that your debt is manageable, and with a debt management plan in place it is not as heavy on your shoulders as it originally seemed. 

Additionally avoid stress triggering foods like caffeine, carbonated drinks, alcohol, and smoking.  Eat a good diet of foods high in B vitamins - tuna, whole-wheat, almonds, brown rice, broccoli, peas, eggs, etc. - as they help bust the stress by boosting the nervous system.  Make sure you get enough iron in your diet as well to help boost your immune system.  Find time to exercise, even if it means a five minute walk.  Exercise helps boost your energy and makes you feel better.  Don't be afraid to take a break and say no from time to time in order to keep your stress level to a minimum.  If you can keep your stress down, you can handle your debt more efficiently.