Does holding money relieve stress?

How Holding Money Can Reduce Stress and Pain

Money is often a source of stress for many people. Financial worries can affect your mental and physical health, causing anxiety, depression, insomnia, headaches, and more. But did you know that money can also have a positive effect on your well-being? According to a recent study, holding money in your hand can reduce stress levels and minimize pain.

The Study

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Exeter in the UK. They recruited 72 participants and randomly assigned them to one of three groups: money-holding, paper-holding, or no-holding. The money-holding group was given $80 in cash to hold in their hands, the paper-holding group was given 80 pieces of blank paper, and the no-holding group was given nothing.

The participants were then exposed to two types of stressors: social and physical. The social stressor involved giving a speech in front of a panel of judges, while the physical stressor involved immersing their hand in ice-cold water. The researchers measured the participants' heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol (a stress hormone), and pain ratings before and after each stressor.

The Results

The results showed that holding money significantly reduced the participants' stress and pain responses compared to holding paper or nothing. Specifically, the money-holding group had lower heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol, and pain ratings than the other two groups. The researchers concluded that holding money can act as a buffer against stress and pain by providing a sense of security and control¹².

## The Implications

The study suggests that money can have a psychological effect on our well-being, beyond its material value. Holding money can make us feel more confident and empowered, which can help us cope with challenging situations. Of course, this does not mean that money can solve all our problems or that we should become obsessed with it. Money is only one of many factors that influence our happiness and health.

However, the study does offer some practical tips for reducing stress and pain in our daily lives. For example, if you are feeling anxious about a presentation or an exam, you could try holding some cash in your hand before you start. If you are suffering from chronic pain or a minor injury, you could keep some money in your pocket or wallet and touch it when you need some relief. You could also use money as a reward for achieving your goals or completing a difficult task.

Above Conclusion:

Money is often associated with stress, but it can also have a positive impact on our well-being. A recent study found that holding money in your hand can reduce stress levels and minimize pain by providing a sense of security and control. This suggests that money can have a psychological effect on our well-being, beyond its material value. Holding money can make us feel more confident and empowered, which can help us cope with challenging situations. However, this does not mean that money can solve all our problems or that we should become obsessed with it. Money is only one of many factors that influence our happiness and health.

If you are interested in learning more about how to manage your financial stress and improve your mental and physical health, you can check out these resources:

- Top ways to reduce daily stress - Harvard Health.

- 6 ways to use your mind to control pain - Harvard Health.

- Financial Stress: How to Cope - Verywell Mind.

In this article, we have discussed how holding money in your hand can reduce stress levels and minimize pain by providing a sense of security and control. We have also shared some practical tips for using money as a coping tool in our daily lives. But how can we make the most of our money and use it wisely to enhance our well-being? Here are some suggestions:

- Save for the future. Having a financial cushion can help you feel more prepared and confident for unexpected events or emergencies. Saving money can also help you achieve your long-term goals, such as buying a house, starting a business, or retiring comfortably. You can start by setting a realistic budget and tracking your expenses. Then, you can allocate a portion of your income to your savings account every month. You can also look for ways to reduce your spending, such as cutting down on unnecessary purchases, using coupons or discounts, or switching to cheaper alternatives.

- Spend on experiences. Research has shown that spending money on experiences, such as traveling, learning new skills, or enjoying hobbies, can bring more happiness and satisfaction than spending money on material goods . Experiences can enrich your life by creating memories, broadening your perspective, and strengthening your relationships. You can choose experiences that match your interests, values, and personality. You can also share them with others who matter to you, such as your family, friends, or partner.

- Give to others. Giving money to others, such as charities, causes, or people in need, can also boost your well-being by making you feel more generous, compassionate, and connected . Giving money can also have a positive impact on the world by supporting social change, environmental protection, or human rights. You can choose causes that resonate with you and align with your beliefs. You can also research the impact and effectiveness of the organizations you donate to and look for ways to get involved beyond money, such as volunteering or advocating.

- Be grateful. Finally, being grateful for what you have can help you appreciate your money and use it more mindfully. Gratitude can also improve your mood, health, and relationships by making you feel more positive, optimistic, and connected. You can practice gratitude by keeping a journal of the things you are thankful for every day. You can also express your gratitude to others who have helped you or supported you in any way. You can also reflect on how your money has enabled you to enjoy life and pursue your dreams.

The Conclusion

Money is often a source of stress for many people, but it can also have a positive effect on our well-being. A recent study found that holding money in your hand can reduce stress levels and minimize pain by providing a sense of security and control. This suggests that money can have a psychological effect on our well-being, beyond its material value. Holding money can make us feel more confident and empowered, which can help us cope with challenging situations.

However, this does not mean that money can solve all our problems or that we should become obsessed with it. Money is only one of many factors that influence our happiness and health. To make the most of our money and use it wisely to enhance our well-being, we should save for the future, spend on experiences, give to others, and be grateful for what we have.

We hope this article has given you some insights and tips on how to manage your financial stress and improve your well-being. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below.

References:

: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1057740815000443

: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656616301442

: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886912000849

: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886914003621

: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S105353571730443X

: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886918306827

Source: 

(1) Financial Stress: How to Cope - Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/understanding-and-preventing-financial-stress-3144546.

(2) Top ways to reduce daily stress - Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/top-ways-to-reduce-daily-stress.

(3) 6 ways to use your mind to control pain - Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/6-ways-to-use-your-mind-to-control-pain.

FAQ's 

Does money take away pain?

The finding: Cash gives people an inner strength and can reduce their physical and emotional pain. In fact, simply the idea of cash has this effect. The study: Kathleen Vohs asked some subjects to count cash and others to count slips of paper. Afterward, she asked the subjects to dip their hands in extremely hot […]

Does holding money relieve stress?

They found: Money reduces intense stress: There was no significant difference in how often the participants experienced distressing events—no matter their income, they recorded a similar number of daily frustrations.

Does touching money reduce pain?

The results, published in the journal Psychological Science, showed those who had handled money reported less pain.

Does money solve your problems?

But despite everything that money can do, it will never be able to give us everything. Not even if we have more money than we need. If you're ever going to develop a healthy mindset about money, it begins with understanding that even if money could solve a lot of your problems, it will never be able to solve them all.