{"id":17640,"date":"2021-07-12T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comparehero.my\/blog\/uncategorized\/stress-costs-money.html"},"modified":"2026-03-26T16:00:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T08:00:36","slug":"stress-costs-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comparehero.my\/blog\/money-tips\/stress-costs-money.html","title":{"rendered":"4 Ways Work-Related Stress Can Cost You Money"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Most of us are working from home<\/a> these days. At times, the boundaries between work and home become blurred, and your to-do list grows longer regardless of how many tasks you\u2019ve completed. <\/p>\n\n

That\u2019s when the anxiety and worries creep in. Besides affecting your health, stress is also a hazard to your bank account. Here are four ways that stress can cost you money. Beware of them.<\/p>\n

1. Stress eating<\/h2>\n

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According to studies, some people overeat when they feel stressed.<\/em><\/p>\n

According to psychologist Susan Albers (from Cleveland Clinic, a U.S. non-profit academic medical centre), some people overeat<\/a> when they feel stressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re feeling stressed, your body sends out cortisol, known as the stress hormone. Cortisol can make you crave sugary, salty and fatty foods, because your brain thinks it needs fuel to fight whatever threat is causing the stress,\u201d Albers revealed.<\/p>\n

So you\u2019ll most likely want to gobble up endless cookies, kuih or chips when things feel unbearable at work. These snacks may seem cheap at first, but they add up in the long run.  <\/p>\n

Estimated snack prices:<\/strong> Cookies (from RM3), kuih (from RM6), and potato chips (RM2 – RM20++)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s best to enjoy these in moderation.<\/p>\n

Related:<\/strong> 4 Practical Ways To Afford Groceries In Malaysia<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Smoking or vaping<\/h2>\n

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For some people, smoking and vaping are like \u2018self-medication\u2019 to ease stress.<\/em><\/p>\n

Some people say smoking and vaping are like \u2018self-medication\u2019 to ease feelings of stress. However, according to mentalhealth.org<\/a>, smoking actually increases anxiety and tension. <\/p>\n

The same article explained that cigarettes contain nicotine, a mood altering chemical that stimulates the release of dopamine in your brain. Dopamine causes feelings of pleasure and relaxation, a sensation the body craves. However, during these feelings of perceived relaxation, the body is actually experiencing increased stress<\/a>. Your blood pressure and heart rate will increase, muscles become tense, and less oxygen is available to the body and brain. <\/p>\n

As vape also contains nicotine, you are likely to experience the same side effects as cigarettes.<\/p>\n

Estimated cigarette prices: <\/strong>RM12 – RM17.40
Estimated vape prices:<\/strong> From RM35<\/p>\n

3. Using alcohol to cope<\/h2>\n

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Malaysia\u2019s alcohol excise duty is the second-highest in the world, so drinking can be a costly activity.<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s 6pm, and you think having few alcoholic drinks can help you de-stress after a long day. That\u2019s only true to a certain extent. According to medical portal healthline.com, drinking may help take your mind off of your troubles<\/a> at first. <\/p>\n

However, once you start drinking, you can build a tolerance to the de-stressing effects of beer, wine, vodka, and other alcoholic beverages. Then you\u2019ll need more and more drinks to \u2018unwind\u2019. Over time, consuming too much alcohol can lead to blackouts, memory loss, and liver damage. <\/p>\n

Additionally, Malaysia\u2019s alcohol excise duty, at RM175 per litre of alcohol by volume<\/a>, is also the second-highest in the world. So besides affecting your health, you\u2019ll be spending a fortune on expensive beverages <\/p>\n

Estimated alcohol prices:<\/strong> From RM6.50 (for the cheapest can of beer) to hundreds of ringgit (for premium booze).<\/p>\n

Related:<\/strong> 11 Practical Hacks To Reduce Your Financial Burden And Stress<\/a><\/p>\n

4. Shopping sprees<\/h2>\n

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Impulse buys can consume your savings quickly and put you in debt.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ever used an online shopping app after a tense meeting? Yeah, we have all been through some form of \u2018retail therapy\u2019 too. <\/p>\n

Something beautiful catches your eye online, or there might be a flash sale for the items you like. You think treating yourself is fine after a tough time at work, so before you know it, you have selected the \u2018Buy Now\u2019 button. <\/p>\n

The downside of this is that impulse buys can eat into your savings, and you could be on a tight budget for the rest of the month. Worse, you may also find yourself deep in credit card debt. <\/p>\n

Cost of shopping sprees:<\/strong> From RM19 (collectible minifigures) to thousands of ringgit (branded apparel and accessories).<\/p>\n

What you should do instead<\/h2>\n

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Having someone to talk to can also help you de-stress. <\/em><\/p>\n