American Stress Statistics: Understanding Acute And Chronic Stress
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Stress is a natural reaction in the nervous system that can keep humans and animals safe by providing the flight or fight response. However, when stress becomes long-term (chronic), it can be overwhelming and cause physical and mental health concerns. Looking at American stress statistics can help you feel less alone with your stress and notice which areas may help you relieve it. It may also encourage you to get help building coping skills to deal with the effects of immense stress in your own life.
What is stress?
Stress can be difficult to measure and quantify, and everyone experiences it differently.
While stress is a natural human experience, there are various definitions to describe it. Some individuals might describe stress as mental, emotional, or physical strain or tension. Others are reporting symptoms such as feeling overwhelmed or experiencing mental burnout. In some cases, stress can be positive and motivate someone to make necessary changes or work harder to reach a goal.
There are a few types of stress often studied, including the following.
Acute stress
Acute stress is often referred to as the fight or flight response and might happen in a life-threatening or scary situation. It can feel overwhelming and taxing on your mind and body. However, acute stress is temporary and may not last long after the event as long as an individual is safe. In cases of acute stress disorder, when an individual reacts to a traumatic experience, the emotional toll can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
Chronic stress
Chronic stress, or experiencing elevated stress over longer periods, is one of the common types and is the type of stress discussed in the below stress statistics. Some might see chronic stress as the cost of daily living, though some of these life events can be a significant source of persistent stress that can lead to stress disorders in certain situations. Chronic stress might be caused by the following:
Work-related stress
Parenting
School
Family conflict
Financial distress
Relationships
Societal stressors
Mental health conditions
For young adults and high school students, there is now an additional source of chronic stress in the form of mass shootings. More than half (75%) of Gen Z reported experiencing stress about mass shootings. This is unsurprising as these kinds of shootings are at an all-time high in our nation’s history.
Eustress
Eustress refers to standard stress levels and is often interpreted as beneficial. Some might explain it as nervous excitement caused by positive events like:
Expecting a baby
Getting married
Anticipating a promotion at work
US stress statistics
Statistics for stress in America shed light on how people perceive the causes of stress in their lives. For example, in 2017, the American Psychological Association researched the most common causes of stress for Americans and found the following:
Personal and national issues:
63% of participants reported concern about the country's future, possibly because a presidential election had just concluded.
62% reported stress caused by money issues.
61% said work was a stressful issue for them.
57% reported that the political climate was causing them stress, potentially due to the concluded presidential election.
51% said that crime and violence were sources of stress.
In 2014, more than three-quarters (77%) said they regularly experienced physical symptoms because of stress, while 73% said they periodically experienced psychological symptoms.
In addition, the 2014 study released by the American Psychological Association reported that the top sources of stress included:
Job pressure
Money
Health
Relationships
Poor nutrition
The most recent iteration of the American Psychiatric Association stress survey was conducted online in 2020 and prompted warnings of a national mental health crisis. The survey showed that in addition to these other factors, the Covid 19 pandemic is a contributing factor to a significant uptick in stress percentage points, especially for Gen Z.
Interpreting these mental health statistics
In addition to stress caused by the political climate, which may vary from term to term, work, and money were in the top five causes for both 2014 and 2017.
Many individuals find it difficult to avoid work-related stress. They may feel they must take whatever work is available to support themselves and their families; they might want a different job, which could cause increased stress. Others might not like their coworkers, daily commute, or workload, regardless of whether they enjoy a job. As money is also connected to work, household income not equaling a living wage can significantly stress many Americans.
Are these statistics cause for concern?
In 2017, according to the statistics above, over half of the respondents commonly worried about work, money, and politics. In 2020 nearly half of adults reported that their behavior has been negatively affected by stress, and individuals have reported increased tension in relationships due to stress.
How stress impacts physical health
Unresolved elevated stress can affect one’s long-term well-being. It can contribute to health concerns like chronic illness, such as high blood pressure and heart disease, which is the number one health concern in the US. Increased numbers of chronic diseases can also put undue stress on the healthcare system. Understanding the side effects of stress, affecting both mental and physical health, can help you understand the long-term impact. It can make a difference to discuss any medical concerns you have with your healthcare provider to have a better perspective on your well-being. Symptoms overwhelming Americans and effects of long-term stress include the following:
Aches and pains
Insomnia sleepiness, or trouble sleeping
Changes in social behavior
Lack of energy
Upset stomach
Unfocused thinking
Changes in appetite
Increased substance use*
Differences in emotional responses to others
Unexpected mood changes
Emotional withdrawal
Diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, metabolic syndrome, and type II diabetes
Addiction to food, gambling, or internet use
Mood and anxiety disorders
Workplace accidents
*If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources.
How to manage chronic stress
If you're experiencing chronic stress or associated symptoms, using stress-management strategies might help you reduce its impact on your life. Below are some common tactics that help manage stress:
Regular exercise
A healthy diet
Time management
Realistic goal setting
Practicing sleep hygiene
Enjoying leisure activities (cooking, dancing, playing games, or hiking)
Stress-reduction methods (deep breathing, gardening, socializing, or reading)
Practicing mindfulness (meditation or mindful breathing)
Reduce or stop your social media usage
Counseling options
If you're unsure where to start addressing your stress-related problems, a therapist can help you devise a plan to reduce and manage your stress levels. If you can't afford or don't have time for in-person therapy, you can also try online therapy, which has been shown to be as effective as in-person therapy for many people. In addition, it gives you a more diverse selection of therapists and allows you to meet with your professional on your schedule.
Online stress management programs can help you improve your capacity to cope with stress while decreasing stress levels. In addition, online therapies are shown to help with depression, anxiety, and loneliness in addition to stress.
Takeaway
You're not alone if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by stress in the past year. However, you can learn to manage and reduce it, lessening the physical and emotional toll and any stress-related side effects that you may experience. There are many potential sources of stress in modern life, and identifying what's causing yours so you can distance yourself from it might be beneficial. Therapists can also help you build a toolbox of effective coping skills to deal with increased tension in your life, no matter what the source of stress is.
With a platform like BetterHelp, you can match with a licensed online therapist based on your specific needs and preferences. Through the platform, you can reach out to your therapist at any time using in-app messaging, and they'll get back to you as soon as they can. You can also schedule phone, video, or messaging appointments during times that are convenient for you.
What percentage of the world has stress?
According to the American Institute of Stress, around 35% of individuals are feeling stressed. The global average is 20% lower than the levels of stress reported in the United States. Greece is the country with the highest rate of stress with 59% of people feeling stressed.
What are the statistics on stress in 2023?
The following statistics from the American Psychiatric Association give informative stress-related information that may help to understand how stress impacts people’s daily lives. Before 2023 began, 26% of individuals felt like 2023 was going to be more stressful than the past year (2022). Although more Americans anticipated being stressed this year, more individuals also planned on implementing techniques to reduce stress in their daily life, 29% in 2023 compared with 26% in 2022.
What are the facts about stress?
Stress is a state of worry or concern caused by a difficult situation or a situation that appears difficult. Some facts about stress include:
- Stress is a natural part of life, everyone experiences stress and how we respond to stressful situations can impact our well-being.
- Stress can have negative impacts on the mind and body if not properly managed, such as headaches, stomach aches, anxiety, depression, acid reflux, overeating, and alcohol use.
- Signs of stress include difficulty concentrating, feelings of restlessness, and trouble sleeping.
- Stress affects different people in different ways. What may cause high levels of stress for one person may not cause stress for another.
- Stress is treatable and it is important to avoid extreme stress by using stress reduction strategies such as meditation and mindfulness, or by seeing a therapist who may provide strategies to cope with stress in the moment.
What is the No 1 cause of stress?
For adults in the United States, the number one source of stress and anxiety is personal finances, with 64% of individuals marking this as a stressor. The number two source of stress was uncertainty, at 55%. About half of the individuals surveyed also listed their physical health as a stressor for the year.
Where is stress most common?
Stress is a widespread phenomenon that can be found in various aspects of life and in different populations. While it can affect people from all walks of life and in different geographic locations, there are certain situations and settings where stress tends to be more common. Some of these include:
- Workplace: Work-related stress is prevalent in many industries and job roles. High-pressure environments, long working hours, job insecurity, and challenging interpersonal relationships at work can increase stress.
- Academic Settings: Students, especially during exam periods or when facing academic pressure, often experience stress. The expectations to perform well academically can be overwhelming.
- Urban Areas: Stress levels may be higher in densely populated urban areas due to factors like traffic congestion, noise pollution, long commutes, and fast-paced lifestyles.
- Major Life Events: Stress can be triggered by significant life events such as moving to a new place, marriage, divorce, childbirth, loss of a loved one, or financial difficulties.
- Caregiving: People providing care for family or loved ones with health issues or disabilities may experience stress due to the demands and responsibilities involved.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Socioeconomic status can influence stress levels. Individuals facing financial hardships or who have struggled to make ends meet in the past month, are facing unemployment, or lack essential resources may experience higher stress.
- Natural Disasters and Crisis: In regions affected by natural disasters, conflicts, or other crises, stress levels can significantly increase, due to the uncertainties and disruptions to daily life.
- Demographic Factors: Research suggests that certain age groups, such as young adults and middle-aged individuals, may experience higher stress levels compared to others.
What age is stress most common?
The age where stress is the most common in the United States is between 18 and 33 years old. This group scored statistically higher than other groups on an American Psychological Association Survey, with money and jobs being their main sources of stress.
How common is stress in students?
Stress is very common in students, especially at the high school and college levels. Approximately 45% of high school students and 88% of college students reported feeling stressed. Factors that contribute to feeling stressed for students include:
- Time management problems
- Heavy workloads
- Lack of sleep
- Late-night study sessions
Is student stress increasing?
Over the past decade student stress has been increasing, with gains of over 40% in pre-pandemic years, a number that has been increasing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Although student stress has been increasing, it is challenging for schools to keep up with the demand for mental health professionals.
What are the statistics of stress at work?
Workplace stress is one of the most common forms of stress in the United States, some statistics around workplace stress include:
- 83% of workers report feeling workplace stress with 25% saying that work is their number one source of stress.
- One-million people in the US miss work each day due to stress.
- 50% of workers are not engaged at work due to stress.
- Workload is the number one source of stress with 39% of workers feeling overworked.
How does stress affect life?
Stress can significantly impact various aspects of life, both physically and emotionally. Physically, chronic stress can lead to a range of health issues, including cardiovascular problems, weakened immune function, digestive disorders, and muscle tension. Prolonged stress can also disrupt sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and a decreased ability to concentrate or make decisions. Individuals experiencing stress may adopt unhealthy coping mechanisms such as overeating, excessive alcohol consumption, or tobacco use, further exacerbating the negative effects on health.
Stress can also take a toll on emotional well-being and mental health. Persistent stress can lead to anxiety, irritability, and a heightened sense of being overwhelmed. It may also contribute to the development of mood disorders like depression. Individuals under significant stress may experience decreased motivation, disinterest in once-enjoyable activities, and feelings of hopelessness.
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