13 Ways to Stay Healthy in Tough Economic Times

Wealth shocks can harm your health.

From the Great Depression in the 1930s to the recent Great Recession, evidence suggests that public health suffers with serious economic setbacks. A new study, released Tuesday, shows middle-aged and older adults who suddenly lost the bulk of their wealth, in a period spanning 1994 to 2014, faced an increased death risk. Overall, physical, mental and even dental health can be affected multiple ways in times of financial strain. See how to buffer your health and build resilience before the next economic bubble bursts.

Realize anyone can be vulnerable.

It's not just about the wealthiest 1 percent. Losing 75 percent or more of total net worth within a two-year period was tied to a 50 percent higher risk of dying over the next 20 years for adults ages 50 and older at any income level, according to a new Journal of the American Medical Association study. In the nationally representative study of nearly 9,000 participants, about one-quarter of those followed experienced these negative wealth shocks. "It's not really a small issue confined to a tight population," says Lindsay Pool, the lead study author. "It affects millions of Americans." Pool, a research assistant professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, says, "The fact that it's so pervasive is worthy of thinking of solutions, both policy and clinical, for how we can protect people."

Seek help for mental health issues.

Job loss can take a serious toll on mental health. Another post-recession study of health consequences found increased risk of substance abuse and suicide, particularly among young men. Not surprisingly, depression and anxiety can worsen with profound financial worries. In times of economic strain, it's more important than ever to seek treatment to restore and maintain your mental health.

Keep up with your health care.

While concentrating on your financial situation, avoid the temptation to skip medical visits for chronic conditions such as cancer or diabetes. That can be hard to do when joblessness threatens your ability to pay medical bills or afford prescription drugs. Look into all your insurance options in case of job loss, such as COBRA, Medicare or Medicaid and Obamacare health plans -- ideally before a financial crisis hits.

Shore up support systems.

When people in good health lose a job through no fault of their own, their risk of developing a new stress-related health problem -- such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease -- increases. In a national sample of U.S. workers from the late 1990s and early 2000s, only about 6 percent of people with stable employment developed a new health condition, according to Kate Strully, an associate professor of sociology at the University at Albany--State University of New York. By contrast, more than 10 percent of those who'd lost their jobs developed chronic conditions, her study found. "Psychological stress -- feeling stressed out -- impacts the cardiovascular system, metabolism and immune system," Strully says. Fortunately, networking isn't just good for job-hunting. "Time and time again, studies show that stress and poor health are less likely to go hand in hand when people have social support -- like supportive relationships with friends, family, neighbors, spouses or significant others," she notes.

Learn how to lower stress.

In a periodic survey of thousands of older Americans conducted every couple of years, people who owned large amounts of stock were more likely to report feelings of depression, had lower levels of self-rated health and were more likely to say they were taking antidepressants following the 2008 stock market crash. "This study showed that sudden large wealth losses can lead to worse subjective health," says co-author Jennifer Mellor, an economics professor at William and Mary and director of its Schroeder Center for Health Policy. Other research has found that people faced with unstable housing or financial strain from the recession were more likely to experience sleep problems and depression. In hard times, people can take advantage of free or low-cost stress-relief strategies. If you're not already trying to reduce stress in your daily life, now is a great time to start.

Watch for foreclosure fallout.

When hard times force home foreclosures, neighbors left behind may feel the effects. Massachusetts residents who lived near foreclosed properties were significantly more likely to gain weight in the aftermath, according to a study in the September 2013 issue of the American Journal of Public Health. Less willingness to go running or take walks in neighborhoods with boarded-up homes could be a cause, authors suggested. Overeating in response to stress from declining property values might be another. In an environmental example, a 2007 breakout of West Nile disease in Bakersfield, California, was eventually tied to a rise in abandoned homes. Neglected pools, Jacuzzis and birdbaths covered in fuzzy green algae became strong attractions for infected mosquitoes. Take steps to protect yourself from mosquito invasions around your home.

Economize on lifestyle habits.

A tighter budget can actually improve health behaviors (although it doesn't work out that way for everyone). When alcohol or cigarettes become less affordable, some people choose to drink and smoke less to save money, with the healthy side effect of reducing cancer and other health risks. Certain smoking cessation treatments are covered under Obamacare. Your local health department can recommend support groups and other free or low-cost resources to help you quit smoking.

Go easy on comfort foods.

It's easy to cave in and binge-eat to temporarily forget financial stress. Grocery shopping also seems less expensive if you focus on the center aisles filled with processed foods. It's true that high-carb, high-sugar foods can be cheaper than fresh produce, lean meats and fish. Planning ahead, finding healthy foods on sale, choosing frozen veggies, fruit and berries with longer shelf life, and cooking rather than relying on prepackaged convenience foods can trim your budget while keeping meals balanced and nutritious.

Drive safely.

Job loss may have a small silver lining when you don't have to commute for a time. In areas hardest hit by unemployment, fatal car crashes were significantly reduced, according to a 2011 study following the Great Recession. Fewer alcohol-related accidents per mile traveled was the strongest connection to the drop in lethal crashes, authors concluded. If you ever find yourself out of work, it can be an opportunity to avoid impaired drivers and rush-hour stress. It's also a chance to rethink after-happy-hour driving habits.

Maintain good dental health.

Seeing a dentist involves much more than keeping your teeth clean. Regular dental checkups help prevent complicated -- and costly -- oral health problems from developing. (Practicing good oral hygiene at home also helps.) Untreated gum disease can eventually lead to loss of bone around the teeth and possible tooth loss, necessitating implants or dentures. Local dental societies can recommend affordable sources of nearby dental care, while dental school clinics may offer services similar to dentist offices at much lower costs. The American Dental Association offers tips on finding affordable dental care in your area.

Look for prescription drug savings.

When money is tight, you can save money on prescription drugs without jeopardizing your health. First, ask your doctor or pharmacist to evaluate your complete list of medications. Together, you may find drugs that you routinely take are no longer needed or helpful. For ongoing or new prescriptions, ask if generic versions are available and effective. If you qualify for Medicare, look closely into drug benefits before choosing a specific Medicare plan.

Choose medical procedures wisely.

Saying no to unneeded treatments keeps medical costs in line while avoiding health risks. In an effort to avoid unnecessary medical tests, treatments and procedures, the Choosing Wisely campaign, spearheaded by the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation, spells out guidelines for physicians making these recommendations. Patients also can go to the Choosing Wisely website and click on a variety of procedures, such as cervical cancer screenings or antibiotic treatment in the hospital.

Foster resilience.

Resilience -- the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity or significant stress -- can help you better withstand financial shocks. People aren't necessarily born resilient but can develop this positive trait over time. A study in the July-August 2016 issue of Geriatric Nursing keyed in on the top characteristics of high resilience among adults 65 and older. Gratitude, happiness and optimism are mental signs of resilience. Community involvement, contact with family and friends and sense of purpose are social sources of resilience. Physical health, independence in activities of daily living and self-rated successful aging are all tied to resilience in older adults.

Lisa Esposito is a Patient Advice reporter at U.S. News. She covers health conditions, drawing on experience as an RN in oncology and other areas and as a research coordinator at the National Institutes of Health. Esposito previously reported on health care with Gannett, and she received her journalism master's degree at Georgetown University. You can follow her on Twitter, connect with her on LinkedIn or email her at lesposito@usnews.com.