WalletHub also ranked states on specific stress-related metrics, including:

• Average hours worked per week, with Texas ranking the highest and Colorado ranking the lowest
• Percentage of adults in fair or poor health, with Kentucky ranking the highest and Hawaii ranking the lowest
• Job security, with Maine having the worst job security and Connecticut having the best
• Affordable housing, with California having the least affordable housing and Iowa have the most affordable

How to cope with stress, according to experts

To help people cope with negative stressors, WalletHub spoke to several experts about the best ways to reduce stress, particularly when it comes to finances amid rising inflation.

According to Kelly Campbell, interim vice provost for academic affairs and co-chief diversity officer at California State University, San Bernadino, people should "[l]ook at every place they can cut expenses" to address financial stress from inflation.

In particular, Campbell recommended that people "think about necessities first and cut down on the extras." This could include your cable bill or being more frugal with your meal choices while also trying not to compromise your health.

Separately, Andrew Bennett, an assistant professor in the department of management at Old Dominion University, recommends people focus on what they can control if they are feeling overwhelmed by high costs.

"Some ideas include buying in bulk and sharing with a neighbor, shopping sales, and trying to cut back or focus on what you really need (compared to what you want)," Bennett said. "That is all easier said than done, but feeling like you are in control can help a lot."

To combat stress without spending money, Bennett suggested finding free activities that align with your interests. For example, if you like being outside, try to find a local park or area to walk or even just sit and read. If you enjoy being creative, try to see when museums are having "free days" or check your local library or community center for classes.

Leah Hibel, a professor of human development and family studies at the University of California, Davis, also emphasized the importance of social support, calling it a "primary buffer" against stress.

"Stress in large doses, or over long periods can erode your mental and physical health," Hibel said. "… Connect with loved ones, find someone who can empathize, and be there with you to listen or lend a helping hand" to help reduce stress when you're overwhelmed. (O'Connell-Domenech, "Changing America," The Hill, 3/30; McCann, WalletHub, 3/27)