Counting Toward Calm

She wrote each expense carefully, not rushing the process. Financial stress has been shown to negatively affect mental and physical health, while budgeting and financial planning can reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being (American Psychological Association).

As the numbers settled into place, her breathing slowed. Research also indicates that a sense of financial control is linked to better sleep quality and lower stress levels (Sweet et al. 149). Acceptance did not mean ignoring reality. It meant facing it clearly, using motivation as a tool to protect both her future and her health.

Works Cited (MLA)

American Psychological Association. “Stress in America: Paying with Our Health.” APA, 2015.
Sweet, Elizabeth, et al. “The High Price of Debt: Household Financial Debt and Its Impact on Mental and Physical Health.” Social Science & Medicine, vol. 91, 2013, pp. 94–100.