As I have reached an age where I look around at friends, colleagues and people I know, I have noticed something quite striking. In recent years, it seems that more and more people around me have experienced serious health problems, heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes and other illnesses.

Of course, these conditions are complex. Genetics play an important role. Lifestyle choices, diet, exercise and personal habits all contribute but one factor seems to appear repeatedly in many people’s lives: stress.

It feels as though we are living in an environment where stress has become almost normalised. People are dealing with rising costs, financial uncertainty, increasing responsibilities and the feeling that they have less control over their own futures.

Stress is not simply an emotional response. Living under prolonged pressure can affect our health, influencing sleep, blood pressure, inflammation and the choices we make in our daily lives. When people are constantly worried about money, security and the future, that pressure can become a heavy burden.

This raises a wider question, are we creating an environment where people are working harder but feeling less secure?

While listening to a podcast recently, I heard an economist discussing taxation and an idea that stayed with me. Unfortunately, I cannot remember his name, but his argument was that people are generally willing to contribute when they believe a system is fair. Most people understand that taxation is necessary to fund the services and infrastructure that allow society to function.

However, there comes a point where taxation can begin to feel less like a contribution and more like a penalty. When people feel that the rewards for their effort are continually reduced, their attitude begins to change.

The question many people quietly begin to ask is:

“What is the point?”

Not because they do not want to contribute, but because they question whether greater effort, greater responsibility and greater risk will genuinely improve their lives.

This is a sentiment I increasingly hear from business owners and working people. Many are not seeking excessive wealth or luxury. They are simply trying to create stability — to pay their bills, support their families and build some financial security for the future.

Yet many feel they are constantly fighting just to stay afloat.

The issue is not simply about how wealth is distributed. It is also about how wealth is created, and whether the people who are working, investing, employing others and taking risks feel that their contribution is recognised and worthwhile.

When those who are already carrying significant financial pressure become the focus of additional taxation, there is a risk of creating unintended consequences. People may decide not to expand their businesses, reduce their working hours, retire earlier or look for ways to minimise their exposure.

Governments often look at taxation through the lens of revenue, but taxpayers are not just numbers on a balance sheet. They are people who make choices based on incentives, confidence and their belief that the system is fair.

A society that creates opportunity, rewards effort and allows people to build security can reduce many of the stresses people experience. But a society where people feel they are constantly working harder simply to maintain their position risks creating frustration, disengagement and a loss of motivation.

The measure of a successful society should not only be how much it can collect, but whether it creates the conditions where people feel their hard work can lead to a better future.

Because ultimately, prosperity is not just about how much money flows through an economy. It is about whether people feel secure, valued and optimistic about what their efforts can achieve.

About Michael Morris Estate Agents

Established in 1994, Michael Morris Estate Agents has over 30 years' experience serving Finsbury Park, N4 and the surrounding areas. We provide expert advice on property sales, lettings and property management, including valuations and market appraisals.

Visit  : https://www.michaelmorris.co.uk/ or call 0207 354 8899.