Financial anxiety: What it is and how to fight it
4 de September, 2025
Factors such as economic instability, professional uncertainty or the rising cost of living tend to contribute to an increasingly common phenomenon: financial anxiety.
This type of anxiety doesn’t choose ages, professions or income levels – it can affect anyone at any stage of life.
More than a one-off worry about money, financial anxiety is a condition that can compromise emotional well-being, physical health and the quality of personal relationships.
But there are ways of recognizing it, understanding it and, above all, fighting it. That’s what you can discover with us in this article.
What is financial anxiety?
Financial anxiety is a persistent state of worry, fear or discomfort related to one’s personal economic situation. It can manifest itself even in people with stable incomes and can be associated with current situations that are affecting the person’s finances or with potential situations in the future, in anticipation of difficulties.
On a mental and emotional level, financial anxiety can manifest itself through the following symptoms:
- Fatigue;
- Irritability;
- A feeling of panic;
- Restlessness and difficulty concentrating;
- Sleep disorders;
- Memory problems.
In terms of physical symptoms, they can appear:
- Chest pains;
- Headaches;
- Shortness of breath;
- Diarrhea or digestive changes;
- Muscle pain and tremors;
- Weight fluctuations.
How to combat financial anxiety?
There are some strategies you can try, both in terms of your emotional control and managing your personal finances, that can help you reduce anxiety.
1 – Acknowledge what you feel and talk about it
The first step in dealing with financial anxiety is to recognize that it exists. Ignoring or minimizing the problem only prolongs the discomfort. Talking about your feelings with someone you trust – a friend, family member or professional – can relieve the pressure and help you gain perspective.
Writing about your emotions or identifying the times when you feel most anxious can be a useful exercise in understanding the triggers of this anxiety and starting to work on them.
2 – Make a diagnosis of your financial situation
Financial anxiety is often linked to uncertainty. That’s why it’s essential to have a clear vision of your economic reality.
Collect all the information about your income, expenses, debts and savings: all sources of income and all expenses. A simple monthly budget can be a powerful tool for regaining control and making more informed decisions.
3 – Draw up a plan for your finances
Once you’ve identified the main stress factors – whether it’s excessive debt, unstable income or a lack of savings – set yourself concrete goals. These goals could include reducing expenses, renegotiating loans, automating savings or looking for additional sources of income.
Having a structured plan, with realistic goals and defined deadlines, helps turn anxiety into action.
4 – Build an emergency fund
One of the biggest factors in financial peace of mind is knowing that you are prepared for the unexpected. An emergency fund – ideally one that can cover the equivalent of six to twelve months’ expenses – acts as a safety net in the event of unforeseen situations, such as unemployment, illness or others.
Even if you start with small amounts, the important thing is to get into the habit of saving regularly.
5 – Don’t isolate yourself
Anxiety tends to feed on silence and isolation. Staying connected to family, friends or colleagues is fundamental to preserving emotional balance.
Sharing worries, maintaining routines and looking for activities that provide well-being, such as physical exercise, are effective ways of reducing the impact of anxiety.
6 – Invest in your financial literacy
Financial anxiety is often the result of low financial literacy. Understanding basic concepts of personal finance – such as interest, budgeting, credit or investment – allows you to make more informed decisions and avoid mistakes that can become costly.
Today there are countless resources, from online courses from financial institutions to books, podcasts with educational content and consumer associations. Financial literacy is a tool for autonomy and prevention.
7 – Seek specialized help
If you feel you can’t cope on your own, don’t hesitate to seek professional support. There are organizations such as Deco Proteste’s Financial Protection Office that provide free or affordable advice.
In more complex cases, psychological support can be essential to deal with the emotional effects of financial anxiety.