Written by: Zanub Husain
Medically reviewed by: Rob Philibert, MD PhD
Tax season is almost over, ending this year on April 18, 2022. However, if you’re like a third of Americans, you may have waited until the last minute to file your taxes. According to a survey conducted by IPX 1031, 40% say filing is too time-consuming, 22% said it’s too stressful, and another 22% experience anxiety about whether they are filing correctly. Ten percent of respondents wait to file because they won’t be receiving a refund and six percent are stressed that they will owe money.
The stress of filing taxes is all too real, with even those who do file taxes well before the deadline and individuals in the accounting profession finding themselves increasingly stressed by the season. But this shouldn’t come as a surprise. As stated by Michael McKee, a Cleveland Clinic psychologist and President of the U.S. branch of the International Stress Management Association, “money is a major source of stress on people, and what tax season does is shine a great big spotlight on the issue.”
The stress of tax season can contribute to a larger health concern– heart disease. About 83 million people in the United States currently have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease. Many of those 83 million suffer from coronary heart disease. By prolonging the inevitability by delaying the filing your taxes, you are putting your body on a path of chronic stress which can lead to unhealthy habits and higher blood pressure.
For many accountants, tax season means more time spent sitting at the desk. The Beaumont Health Services reports that long periods of sedentary behavior can lead to a rise in blood pressure and an overall increased risk for heart disease– including death from a cardiovascular event. The long, stressful hours spent by accountants to meet deadlines may also contribute to bad eating habits. Eating healthy, regular meals is essential to maintaining a healthy heart and living a healthy life.
Yet as stressful and detrimental to our health that taxes can be, we cannot avoid them. While getting taxes done early and out of the way is a great way to reduce stress, that isn’t always possible, especially if you’re an accountant. Take time to get up from your desk at home or at work and walk around. If you have the time, a quick jog outside can do wonders and may even help you work faster in the long run. Exercise is a great stress reliever and a great way to clear your mind if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Eating healthy regular meals is another great way to keep the stress brought on by tax season at bay. Plan ahead so you can keep living your best, heart-healthiest life.
As we conclude “tax season”, we should take time to destress and prioritize our heart health. Find out where your heart health stands with Epi+Gen CHD™. This heart disease risk assessment test could be your NextGen guide for healthier cardiovascular aging and preventative care.
Resources:
- https://www.ipx1031.com/americas-biggest-tax-procrastinators-2021
- https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/cope-tax-time-stress
- https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/12/health/tax-day-money-stress/index.html
- https://www.beaumont.org/health-wellness/blogs/how-sitting-too-much-can-lead-to-heart-disease#:~:text=As%20you%20can%20see%2C%20sitting,diabetes%20and%20high%20blood%20pressure.