4 ways money anxiety hurts you—and 4 ways to fix it
Worried about money? It can take a serious toll on your wellbeing. Here's what to do.
Jan 18, 2026
Written byHedy Marks
1 / 10
Slide 1
If you’re like many people, you worry about money. In fact, money and the economy were among the top-rated stressors for adults in the 2023 Stress in America survey conducted on behalf of the American Psychological Association.
Financial stress can take a serious toll on your well-being, increasing your risk of heart disease, depression, and other health issues. Learn how it may affect you, plus effective ways to ease your mind.
Hedy Marks is a medical journalist who writes frequently about all aspects of managing your health.
Sources (9)
- American Psychological Association. Stress in America 2023. November 2023.
- Ryu S, Fan L. The Relationship Between Financial Worries and Psychological Distress Among U.S. Adults. J Fam Econ Issues. 2023;44(1):16-33.
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center. The Link Between Health and Financial Well-Being. Accessed March 6, 2025.
- Swarup SS, P AK, Padhi BK, Satapathy P,et al. Cardiovascular consequences of financial stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Curr Probl Cardiol. 2024 Feb;49(2):102153.
- Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation. Health System Tracker: How does cost affect access to healthcare? January 12, 2024.
- Ryu S, Fan L. The Relationship Between Financial Worries and Psychological Distress Among U.S. Adults. J Fam Econ Issues. 2023;44(1):16-33.
- AICPA/CIMA. Relationship Intimacy Being Crushed by Financial Tension: AICPA Survey. February 4, 2021.
- Peetz J, Meloff Z, Royle C. When couples fight about money, what do they fight about? J Soc Pers Relat. 2023 Nov;40(11):3723-3751.
- Mayo Clinic. Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress. August 3, 2022.