Even if you’re managing your finances carefully, ongoing money stress can still affect your health

There’s a meme that’s done the rounds more than a few times over. You’ve probably seen it and chuckled at its accuracy. “Remember when we lived in precedented times?” is one variation, and it’s not untrue.

The current state of the world feels more unprecedented and challenging (to put it mildly) than ever before. Financial stress is one of the most common uniting factors amongst, well, almost everyone! Rising living costs and chronic unemployment remain persistent pressures, and the effects are being felt not just on our pockets.

According to a recent study by DebtBusters, South Africans are still stressed by financial worries. At least 70% of respondents reported experiencing money stress in 2025.

Despite a small decline in the numbers, the impact on daily life remains substantial: 91% felt it affected their home life, 73% their work life, and 73% their health.

What does financial stress do to your health?

Anxiety is a common by-product of financial worries – after all, how can it not be? It’s natural to feel worried and fearful about making ends meet. The problem is that letting this anxiety build and build to unmanageable levels keeps the vicious worry, fear and stress cycle going.

When you’re constantly stressed, you’re unable to think clearly, find solutions and plan better. As you worry more about finances, you neglect your health, people around you, and possibly, even your work. Anxiety isn’t just relegated to the mind either. Over time, chronic stress is linked to more serious conditions such as high blood pressure, burnout, and depression.

There’s also a behavioural impact: when money stress intensifies, people often delay healthcare, skip medical check-ups, or neglect healthy habits, which further increases long-term costs.

 

The financial stress cycle (and why it’s hard to break)

Financial stress doesn’t exist in isolation, it creates a feedback loop.

When you’re overwhelmed:

  • You struggle to think clearly.
  • Decision-making becomes reactive instead of strategic.
  • Avoidance increases (ignoring bills, delaying action).
  • Health declines, reducing productivity and income potential.

This cycle reinforces itself, making it harder to regain control without intervention.

As your health starts to decline, the impact becomes harder to ignore. Chronic stress can weaken your immune system, increase fatigue, and disrupt sleep, leaving you physically drained and mentally foggy. Over time, this raises your risk of conditions like high blood pressure and burnout, while making it more difficult to stay focused, consistent, and productive at work.

Managing financial stress

Practical ways to reduce financial stress before it escalates

Debt counselling

  • According to the National Debt Review Council (NDRC), debt counselling is a process that’s designed to help anyone who needs to regain control over their finances by restructuring their debt according to a legally approved plan. “Over-indebtedness” refers to a situation where your financial obligations are simply overwhelming and impossible to manage. This is when you’d reach out to such an organisation who will take you through the process. A debt counseller will assess your assets, debt, salary, accounts, and then work out a plan to make things more financially manageable. Everything goes through legal channels, which means a court must approve the new plan and you’re legally protected during the review period. Your bank may also offer a debt review service, so enquire with them as well.

Stress relief

  • Once you have a handle on the financial relief options, it’s time to take care of your health. This means keeping up with regular exercise and a healthy diet. If for no other reason, do you really want to add medical bills to your financial anxiety basket? Prevention is better (and cheaper) than cure.

Budget talks

  • It may sound impossible to strip down your budget even further – but it’s worth a look. Is there anything you’re paying for that’s not necessary? Do you have unexplained debits going off your account? How much can you save if you shop weekly rather than monthly? Even if you can’t make any more budget sacrifices, it’s always good to maintain a strict eye over that spreadsheet. The more you know, the more you’re in control.

Talk therapy

  • Try reaching out for support from your family and friends to help reduce stress. If you’re feeling self-conscious and would rather keep things private, you can get support from the South African Anxiety and Depression Group (SADAG). It’s a free service and they have professional experience in helping those suffering from anxiety and depression. Contact them on the 24-hour helpline: 0800 567 567.

Your health matters

Financial stress is more than a money problem; it’s a health risk.

Left unmanaged, it affects how you think, feel, and function daily. But with the right support systems, financial strategies, and health habits in place, it’s possible to break the cycle before it leads to more serious consequences.

Images: Freepik

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