Money worries are something almost everyone experiences at some point. But when those worries become constant, they can start to affect your wellbeing. Recognising the symptoms of money stress can help you understand how financial pressure is affecting your daily life and give you the chance to take steps towards regaining control.
This guide looks at the physical and emotional signs of money stress, explains why they happen, and explores where you can find support if you’re struggling.
What is money stress?
Money stress, sometimes called financial anxiety, happens when concerns about bills, debts, or not having enough to cover essentials start to feel overwhelming. You may experience short-term money stress if you’re faced with an unexpected bill or another financial setback. However, the stress can become a more long-term problem, especially if you have a lot of unpaid debts or you’re falling behind on rent or mortgage payments.
It’s not just about how much you earn or owe either. Even people with steady incomes can feel financial pressure if they don’t feel in control of their money.
Physical symptoms of money stress
When you’re under financial pressure, your body reacts in the same way it would to any other stressful situation. You may notice:
- Trouble sleeping – you might find yourself lying awake at night thinking about money
- Headaches or tension in your jaw and neck
- Digestive problems such as stomach aches or changes in appetite
- Feeling constantly tired or run down
- A faster heartbeat or a tightness in your chest when thinking about bills.
These are common money stress symptoms, and they’re your body’s way of telling you it’s under strain.
Emotional and mental signs of money stress
Financial difficulties don’t just affect your body – they can also weigh heavily on your emotions. Signs of money stress can include:
- Feeling irritable or short-tempered
- Worrying constantly about bills or debt
- Avoiding looking at bank statements or letters from creditors
- Struggling to concentrate at work or home
- Feeling ashamed or embarrassed about your situation.
These financial anxiety symptoms can make it harder to deal with day-to-day tasks, which may in turn make the money worries worse.
Behavioural signs you may notice
It’s not unusual for money stress to affect your habits and routines. You might find yourself:
- Putting off opening letters, answering calls, or checking your bank account
- Using credit cards or loans to cover everyday costs
- Avoiding social situations because of cost worries
- Arguing more at home about money decisions.
If you recognise yourself in any of these, it could be a sign that money stress is beginning to shape your daily choices.
Why do these symptoms happen?
Money stress thrives on uncertainty – you might not know how much you owe, what’s coming in next month, or what action creditors might take. That uncertainty can trigger your body’s ‘fight or flight’ response, keeping you on edge.
Over time, this constant state of alertness can lead to the physical and emotional symptoms described above.
When money stress starts to take over
For some people, financial anxiety can become overwhelming. You may feel scared to open bills, avoid calls, or even ignore rent or utility payments because you don’t know how to deal with them. This is common, but it’s also the point where getting the right support can make a real difference.
If rent arrears are one of the pressures you’re facing, remember these are considered a priority debt – falling behind can put your home at risk.
How to start tackling money stress
You don’t have to solve everything at once. Often the best approach is to take one small, manageable step at a time. That could be:
- Writing down what you owe, so you have a clear picture
- Opening just one letter, rather than the whole pile
- Speaking to a trusted friend or family member about how you’re feeling.
Even these small actions can begin to ease the cycle of uncertainty.
Practical ways to manage money stress symptoms
There are everyday things you can try that may help reduce the impact of money stress on your wellbeing:
- Set aside a ‘money time’ – choose one time a week to look at bills and finances, so worries don’t take over every day.
- Break tasks down – focus on one bill or debt at a time rather than everything at once.
- Look after your body – sleep, balanced meals and gentle exercise can help your body cope with stress.
- Write things down – keeping notes of due dates, balances and conversations with creditors can help you feel more organised.
Professional support if money stress is linked to debt
If your symptoms are tied to debts you can’t afford to pay, it may be time to explore formal support. For example, if you’re struggling with credit cards, loans or overdrafts, it’s a good idea to find out more about different types of debt and how they’re treated.
Some people find that a Debt Management Plan (DMP) helps by reducing monthly payments into one affordable sum, while others benefit from an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), which is a legally binding agreement with creditors. If you’re not sure which option might suit you, it’s worth looking at the details of DMPs and IVAs.
Recognising priority debts
Not all debts carry the same consequences. Rent, mortgage and utility bills are classed as priority debts because missing them could put your home or essential services at risk. Credit cards and loans are non-priority, but can still cause serious problems if ignored.
When to reach out for help
If money stress symptoms are affecting your health, your sleep, or your relationships, it’s a sign that you shouldn’t face this alone.
For free, impartial advice, you can visit MoneyHelper.
At MoneyPlus, we also offer confidential, non-judgmental advice to help you create a manageable budget and explore debt solutions that may be right for you.
Taking the next step
Everyone experiences money stress differently, but if you’ve recognised the signs in yourself, it’s important to know there are ways forward. Whether it’s taking a small step like opening a letter, or talking to a professional about debt solutions, the most important thing is not to ignore the symptoms.
After taking out a debt solution, 2 in 3 customers who took part in a survey by MoneyPlus said they felt less stressed* – showing that change is possible.
*MoneyPlus customer survey 366 respondents May 2025.
