NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — It's becoming more common to hit small financial setbacks, especially with all the financial responsibilities people have to juggle. These setbacks can include a drop in a credit score, missing a payment, or finding a bank account dipped into overdraft — in the grand scheme of things, each thing isn't terrible, but if they happen one after the other, it can lead to worry and anxiety. Because these are small things, they quietly chip away at people's mental well-being, which can have a negative effect on health — causing things like sleep disturbances or increased risk of cardiovascular issues and chronic stress. To fully understand how these micro-stressors impact people, BadCredit.org conducted a survey to quantify how often these happen and identify which ones contribute to stress levels. Based on the data, North Dakotans suffer from an average of 22 financial micro-stresses a week. Companies aren’t hiring, but they aren’t firing either The top financial event that contributes to stress is unexpected fees or charges. Others include missing a bill payment and a drop in credit score. The survey also revealed that many people have difficulty tracking their spending, meaning that some payments could slip through the cracks, leaving them with less money at the end of the month. Nearly one-third of North Dakotans said that these stressors significantly affect their mental health. And the majority of people keep the suffering to themselves. Over two-thirds of people admitted that these things keep them awake at night, affecting their sleep. "Financial micro-stresses may seem small on their own, but they can accumulate and quietly erode our well-being over time. It's crucial for people to recognize these ongoing pressures and address them proactively — whether through better financial planning, seeking support from loved ones, or utilizing resources like debt management tools," said BadCredit's Senior Editor, Jon McDonald. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW