Most Americans say that stress destroys their ability to enjoy life

Estimated reading time: 4-5 minutes

SAIRE, Pa. In a recent survey, 61% of Americans say their stress levels are higher than ever, and 55% say their stress levels are preventing them from enjoying life.

Unfortunately, the high stress epidemic affects all generations, from boomers to Gen Z. Each group emphasizes different things. Managing stress effectively can have benefits for both physical and mental health.

Severity of stress

It should come as no surprise that adults in the United States experience high levels of stress. A survey conducted by Clever Real Estate asked respondents about what caused them the most stress. Financial issues appear on the list several times:

• Cost of living, 80%
• Inflation, 73%
• Personal Finance, 61%
• Mental health, 57%
• Debt, 55%
• Physical health, 53%
• Home, 49%
• Relationships, 48%
• Business, 45%

The effects of stress on the human body are well documented. It can cause or worsen chronic conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure. It can become a factor for stroke or heart attack. It can also cause several digestive problems and weaken the immune system, not to mention lead to insomnia, obesity and mental health problems.

Physical symptoms of stress do not discriminate.

Unfortunately, fighting stress is rarely a one-time thing. Your struggle will continue until the root of the problem is adequately addressed and managed. It affects people in several ways as it slowly creeps into every part of an individual’s life, from work to relationships and even self-esteem and confidence.

Stress seriously affects the quality of life

About 55% of US adults cannot enjoy life because of stress or its symptoms, and 48% report crying at least once a week. Thirty percent of respondents say they do nothing to help or improve their mental health or reduce stress.

Stress is also widely recognized as damaging to relationships, with 59% of Americans citing it as a major cause of difficulty in marriage, romantic relationships and other family relationships, as well as friendships. It has the potential to be particularly damaging to families. Parents may take the stress out on their children, spouse, or both as they become more and more stressed.

The coping methods people turn to can also contribute to the problem. More than 40% of adults say they overeat to cope with stress, and 39% turn to alcohol to find relief. These harmful coping methods highlight the significant need for better access to mental health resources.

Although they may not succeed, more than three-quarters of respondents think the world would be a better place if more people prioritized mental health, and 52% would be happy to pay higher taxes to see improved government-supported mental health services.

Younger generations report that they are under more stress

Younger generations now have more challenges than older generations. The present decade has been terrible for all generations; 45% of American adults say it is the most stressful decade in sixty years.

Millennials and Generation Z are the hardest hit. Currently, stress is at its highest ever for 65% of Millennials and 64% of Gen Z. The majority of Generation Z (61%) rate their stress level as “unreasonable” and feel that they experience more stress than the average person. Both Millennials (55%) and Generation Z (55%) report difficulty functioning due to stress. Only 30% of baby boomers feel that way.

Housing prices are a significant concern for millennials, with 64% citing them as a primary stressor. On the other hand, 34% of American homeowners believe they wouldn’t be stressed if they didn’t own a home.

As younger generations struggle more with stress, many lack adequate coping mechanisms and struggle in vain to find things to be grateful for.

The inevitable stressors of American life

While 2 in 3 Americans say social media is a significant stressor and bad for society, they can fix it by logging off or turning off their phones. Other stress catalysts are more difficult to manage.

Low wages (57%) and poor work-life balance (46%) are two significant stressors that are more difficult to avoid. Employees are often overworked with assigned tasks and longer than regular shifts, with poor benefits and inadequately paid time off. Stress from these factors leads to burnout and low employee morale, which affects the economy by creating increased unemployment due to high turnover rates.

The combination of low wages and the ever-increasing cost of living has left most Americans feeling like they can’t rise above water. Prices are rising, but wages are not keeping up. Individuals looking for relief can turn to further education, acquiring marketable skills, or researching relevant self-improvement tips to get ahead.

Many people deal with stress in unhealthy, even destructive ways. Experts recommend avoiding substances such as alcohol, drugs and smoking to relieve stress. Individuals who feel they are in crisis should take steps to improve their mental health.

This article was produced and published by Wealth of Geeks.

Related stories

The latest health stories