Revealed: How financial stress impacts men’s physical and mental health

From societal expectations to the physical and mental ramifications of stress, men across all income groups face challenges linked to money worries.

In fact, financial stress might be more common for men than you realise. In 2021, research by the Money & Pensions Service (published on its Financial Capability website) found that 62% of men in the UK were not satisfied with their current financial circumstances.

However, Better with Money reports that men are less likely to admit to facing financial challenges, believing it could damage their masculinity, self-esteem, and reputation. As a result, awareness around the effects of financial stress on men is lacking – potentially making it even more difficult for men to speak up.

To mark both International Men’s Day on 19 November 2025 and Stress Awareness Week from 3 to 7 November 2025, keep reading to learn how financial stress can impact men’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Perceived societal norms and income disparities could increase men’s financial stress

For many men, a large income disparity with their partner, paired with a perceived expectation for them to provide for their family, can be a significant burden.

According to research by Future Men, 37% of young men feel expected to fulfil the role of a “breadwinner”. Similarly, 49% of respondents believe men would feel emasculated by not providing for the household financially.

Indeed, although times are changing, the gender pay gap is still prevalent. As of 2024, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that men earned more than their female partners in 70.1% of married, civilly partnered, and cohabiting couples. Therefore, men remain the breadwinners in the majority of households.

As a result, many men may feel under pressure to maintain and improve the family’s finances, contributing to financial stress.

High earners are not immune from financial stress

You may assume that money worries only exist for those with a low income or large debt. But even high earners who appear comfortable can suffer from financial stress. After all, you likely still need to make mortgage repayments and save for retirement, and you may also be expected to support loved ones.

In fact, HR Review reports that 8 in 10 people earning over £100,000 are concerned about their financial health. Not only do people in this income group typically have higher expenses, but they often fall into the “60% tax trap” – where income between £100,000 and £125,140 is taxed at an effective rate of 60%.

Additionally, due to inflation, a high income generally won’t stretch as far as it used to. HR Review calculates that £100,000 in 2025 is worth the equivalent of £81,000 in 2021.

So, without regular pay rises, even high earners may find their finances increasingly squeezed. And with many men feeling the pressure of a breadwinner role, this can cause significant financial stress.

Read more: Is lifestyle creep eroding your income? 6 helpful strategies to take control of your finances

Financial stress may be detrimental to your physical and mental wellbeing

Stress can have a range of physical and mental ramifications for men and women alike – and financial stress is no exception.

According to IFA Magazine, 79% of people with financial concerns say it impacts their mental wellbeing. Meanwhile, 29% say it has both mental and physical effects.

In particular, Spire Healthcare cites a range of physical symptoms for those suffering from stress, including:

• Poor sleep
• High blood pressure
• Headaches
• Fertility problems
• Muscle tension
• Cardiovascular issues.

For men, the effect of stress on your cardiovascular system could be particularly worrying, with heartsure reporting that men are more likely to suffer a fatal heart attack than women.

The mental ramifications of financial stress can be equally profound, with Spire Healthcare identifying stress as a cause of depression.

As reported by Better with Money, for men under 54, the leading cause of death is suicide – and financial problems are often a contributing factor.

Men could be less likely to seek help

While many of the outcomes of financial stress are shared across both men and women, men may be less likely to seek help. REBA reports that 45% of men admit to avoiding talking about money, compared to 36% of women.

As a result, financial concerns, physical symptoms, and mental health difficulties can worsen without intervention.

Indeed, Future Men found that 51% believe they need to “man up” when faced with difficulties, potentially deterring them from speaking to a loved one or professional about their problems.

As Mind UK suggests, just as financial stress can impact your mental health, your mental health can also affect your financial circumstances. So, denying support could cause your overall wellbeing to decline further.

A robust financial plan could help you reduce feelings of stress

By facing your money worries head on, you could feel more at ease that you can meet your immediate and future needs. Some steps you might take include:

• Creating a household budget, with detailed oversight of your incomings and outgoings.
• Setting goals for both the short- and long-term, such as building your savings or paying off your mortgage.
• Having open conversations about your concerns with loved ones, such as your partner.
• Exploring new means of generating wealth, such as investing, saving, or making pension contributions.
• Identifying options to improve your tax efficiency to boost your take-home pay.

Having a robust, holistic financial plan in place could help you build resilience and rest assured that your finances are on the right track.

However, while IFA Magazine reports that 62% of respondents were concerned about their finances, just 8% had a financial plan in place and only 6% had spoken with a financial adviser.

By speaking with a financial planner, you could get the support you need to reduce your financial stress. Whether you’re worried about retirement planning, investments, paying off your mortgage, or protecting and growing your wealth, a financial planner could help you create a plan to achieve your goals.

Get in touch

At Metis Wealth, we can support you in creating a comprehensive financial plan, helping to build your financial resilience and potentially reduce feelings of stress.

Contact us by emailing enquiries@metiswealth.co.uk or calling 0345 450 5670 to find out what we can do for you.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate cashflow planning or tax planning.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other loans secured on it.