After a while, chronic anxiety can have an effect on... Your heart. Anxiety and chronic stress sufferers are more at risk for cardiovascular problems due to a constant increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure and overexposure to cortisol.
The 5 week period is usually about right for something like a federal return. A state return, on the other hand, will take about 6 to 8 weeks. The process takes a little longer when this is done by mail. A 4 week return for electronic filing may actually take closer to 6 weeks with a postal check.
The IRS generally processes e-filed returns within 21 days, but it can take six to eight weeks to process a mailed paper return after the date it is received. You can check on the status of your refund by using the IRS's Where's My Refund? tool.