How much can poor stress management cost you? Stress has been linked to a major portion of health problems, from premature aging to heart attacks. Even when stress does not causes the illness directly, it can accelerate development of existing conditions or make you more vulnerable to health problems, as well as to threats from your home or office environment. And even if you don't count physical health damage and premature death, overwhelming stress may also waste a significant portion of your life. Just by keeping you in a state of fatigue, unhappiness, and depression.