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How the Economy Is Fueling Anxiety—And What You Can Actually Control
- Jessicah Walker Herche, PhD, HSPP
- Jul 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 9
When the world feels uncertain, clarity and agency become lifelines.
If you’ve been feeling more anxious lately—but can’t quite put your finger on why—it might not just be personal stress. The backdrop of economic instability, rising costs, fluctuating markets, and social unrest creates a low hum of worry that many of us are carrying without realizing it.
For high achievers, caregivers, and emotionally attuned individuals, this kind of ambient anxiety can be especially potent. You’re not only tracking your own needs, but also the needs of those who depend on you. You’re attuned to the tension in the air—and likely trying to shoulder more than your fair share of responsibility for making everything okay.
But when the pressures are systemic, individual effort can only go so far. And when we try to solve existential or societal uncertainty with hyper-productivity or over-functioning, we usually end up feeling more depleted, not more in control.
So what do we do with economic anxiety—especially when it feels like there’s no clear end in sight?
Let’s talk about what’s real, what’s underneath the fear, and what you actually can control.
You’re Not Imagining It: Economic Anxiety Is Real
Many people are quietly struggling to keep pace with rising expenses, changing job markets, and a cost of living that no longer aligns with their income. This isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s about security, stability, and identity.
Economic anxiety can sound like:
“Am I doing enough to secure my future?”
“What if I lose everything I’ve worked for?”
“I can’t keep up, and I don’t know how to slow down either.”
“I feel guilty that I have more than others—and still feel scared.”
These thoughts can be loud or quietly persistent. They often masquerade as perfectionism, irritability, insomnia, or burnout. And they’re intensified by a culture that tells us our worth is tied to productivity and financial success.
Why This Hits So Hard
Often we try to manage uncertainty through control. We’re used to working hard, solving problems, and pushing through hard seasons. But the economic climate we’re in right now is not something we can out-hustle. And that reality can feel deeply disorienting.
You may notice:
Feeling on edge even when you’re “doing everything right”
Fixating on future planning to the point of exhaustion
Feeling guilt when resting or spending money
Questioning your decisions more than usual
If you’re a parent or a caregiver, this fear can feel even more amplified. You’re not just carrying your own worries—you’re thinking about how to protect, provide, and preserve some sense of normalcy for others.
What You Can Control (Even When Everything Feels Out of Control)
There’s no easy fix for economic instability. But there are ways to support your nervous system, ground your energy, and reclaim some agency.
Here are a few places to start:
1. Anchor in the present moment.
Fear thrives in the future. Grounding practices like breathwork, journaling, walking outside, or simply pausing to name what’s okay right now can help you interrupt anxious spirals.
2. Clarify your values, not just your budget.
Financial decisions feel less overwhelming when they align with what matters most. Instead of striving for abstract security, ask: What am I actually trying to protect or create? Then build from there.
3. Set boundaries with information.
Staying informed is one thing. Doomscrolling is another. Choose intentional check-ins with trusted sources—and then step away. Your nervous system needs breaks from uncertainty, even if the world doesn’t provide them.
4. Normalize asking for help.
Talk to a financial planner, a therapist, or someone you trust. Anxiety thrives in isolation. You don’t have to navigate this alone—and you don’t need to wait until you’re in crisis to seek support.
5. Tend to your nervous system.
Chronic stress, especially from sources you can’t control, can wear down your emotional resilience. Gentle practices that regulate your body—like movement, rest, nutrition, and connection—can create more internal steadiness, even when the external world feels chaotic.
A Final Word
You’re allowed to feel overwhelmed. You’re allowed to grieve what’s shifting. And you’re allowed to pause—without losing momentum—to care for your mind and body in uncertain times.
Economic anxiety doesn’t mean you’re broken or ungrateful. It means you’re human in a complex world.
And even in the midst of what you can’t control, you still have choices. You still have the power to root into your values, to care gently for your inner world, and to ask for the support you deserve.
If the uncertainty of this season is weighing on your mind and body, you don't have to navigate this alone. Learn more about practical strategies for calming anxiety or explore how treatment for anxiety can help you build resilience and confidence.
We offer anxiety therapy in both our Fishers and Carmel offices, as well as online throughout Indiana. Therapy offer a steady, compassionate space to process, reflect, and rebuild. You don’t have to carry it all by yourself—reach out today to schedule a consultation.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional psychological care, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
