More money – more stress: unexpected conclusion of scientists

What amount makes a person happy? This question has long interested psychologists and economists. Scientists from Yale University (USA) decided to find out how income affects life satisfaction and stress level. It turned out that money really helps to feel happier, but only up to a certain point. After reaching an annual income of 63 thousand dollars, stress levels begin to rise.

For their work, the researchers used data from the Gallup Daily Poll, in which more than two million adults in the United States participated. Analyzing their answers for 10 years, the experts found an interesting pattern: people with higher incomes were more likely to experience stress, even if in general their standard of living was higher.

The unexpected paradox is that financial stability does not always reduce anxiety. Those who earned enough to cover basic needs, ate right, exercised and had strong social ties felt happier. However, as their income increased further, their stress increased again.

The researchers hypothesize that this is due to additional responsibilities, higher levels of accountability, and difficulty in achieving a work-life balance. The more a person earns, the higher the demands placed on them, which inevitably leads to emotional stress.

Future research will help to further understand exactly how income affects stress levels and life satisfaction. In particular, scientists plan to study the influence of the geographical factor, since living conditions in different regions can differ significantly.