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Stress is a common issue that affects millions of people every day[1]. Due to its subjective nature, stress can drastically vary from person to person. How someone chooses to manage or cope with stress will also vary by person. However, if not properly managed, chronic stress can have a negative impact on both physical and mental health, and can ultimately increase the risk of developing serious health conditions, such as depression and stroke[2].
Recognizing and understanding the prevalence and potential effects of stress are crucial steps toward managing it effectively. Read on to learn more about how many people are affected by stress and possible strategies for dealing with it.
U.S. Stress Statistics at a Glance
- According to the American Psychological Association (APA)’s Stress in America 2022 survey results, money is a major source of stress for 66% of adults, with 57% stating current expenses, such as food and rent, as their main source of money-related stress. The remaining 43% of this group state saving for the future as their main source of money-related stress[1].
- Approximately 75% of U.S. adults feel that violence and crime are significant sources of stress in their lives[1].
- Around 34% of adults report feeling that stress is completely overwhelming for them on most days[1].
- The same 2022 survey from the APA found that 21% of U.S. adults report experiencing forgetfulness, 20% report an inability to concentrate and 17% report difficulty making decisions in the last month as a result of stress[1].
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How Many People Around the World Are Living With Stress?
- According to 2021 Gallup survey data from adults in 122 countries, 41% of adults worldwide report experiencing a lot of stress[3].
- Compared to other countries, 2022 data from Gallup shows that Afghanistan currently has the highest reported stress level at 68%— the U.S. is not too far behind at 53%[4].
- According to 2022 survey data from Pew Research Center, 29% of U.S. parents reported that being a parent is stressful all or most of the time[5].
- A 2018 study of stress levels in the U.K. throughout that year found that 74% of people reported feeling so stressed they were overwhelmed or unable to cope[6].
“Stress is an exceedingly common experience that affects people across various life situations. Studies consistently show that a significant portion of the population experiences stress regularly, as it’s an unavoidable aspect of modern life, whether related to work, relationships, financial concerns or health issues,” explains Ryan Sultan, M.D., a board-certified psychiatrist and professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University.
“And unfortunately, the prevalence of stress has heightened in recent times, which can be attributed to factors like financial strain, inflation and low job security. The impact of COVID-19 has further escalated stress levels, with job losses and business closures adding to the challenges,” adds Linda Girimonte-Thompson, a licensed mental health counselor and owner of Therapy Beyond Healing, a private therapy practice located in West Sayville, New York.
Prevalence of Stress in the U.S.
- 37% of U.S. adults report being unable to do anything when they are stressed[1].
- 56% of employed U.S. adults report job stability as a source of stress[1].
- Around 27% of U.S. adults report feeling so stressed they can’t function on most days[1].
- Violence and crime are a significant source of stress for 75% of U.S. adults[1].
- Younger U.S. women are more likely to report feeling overwhelmed by stress than older women, with 62% of women ages 18 to 34 reporting feeling completely overwhelmed by stress most days, compared to 48% of women ages 35 to 44, 27% of women 45 to 64 and 9% of women 65 years and older[1].
- Younger U.S. men are more likely to report feeling overwhelmed by stress than older men, with 51% of men ages 18 to 34 reporting feeling completely overwhelmed by stress most days, compared to 48% of men ages 35 to 44, 21% of men 45 to 64 and 8% of men 65 years and older[1].
“Various factors contribute to the increased stress levels of the U.S. population, such as the fast-paced nature of modern life, technological advancements and societal expectations. People today often juggle multiple responsibilities and face constant stimuli, leading to heightened stress levels compared to previous generations,” says Dr. Sultan. However, in the past several years, the U.S. population has also experienced an increase in external stressors, such as inflation, violence and political divisiveness, according to the APA.
Workplace Stress Statistics
- According to the APA’s 2023 Work in America Survey, 77% of workers reported experiencing work-related stress in the past month, with 57% of those citing negative impacts as a result, such as emotional exhaustion and lack of motivation to do their best[7].
- These 2023 APA survey results also found that respondents lacking meaningful work (71%) had a higher likelihood of reporting that they were typically stressed or tensed throughout the workday, with just 45% of those who reported having meaningful work stating the same[7].
- A 2021 Italian study compared the stress levels of males and females who reported medium to high stress levels upon returning to work after being unemployed and found that females (22.7%) were more likely to report high stress levels than males (11%)[8].
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), work-related stress often occurs when people are presented with work demands and pressures outside of their knowledge or comfort zone. “Long working hours, tight deadlines and an ever-increasing competition for success can also contribute to a highly stressful work environment,” shares Dr. Sultan.
“The shift to remote work during COVID[-19] was a positive development in regards to stress, allowing for a slowdown, but returning to the office may have induced additional stress and anxiety for some individuals,” states Girimonte-Thompson, who recommends utilizing company wellness programs or emphasizing work-life balance when possible in an effort to reduce work-related stress.
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Stress Relief Statistics
- According to a 2019 study that explored the effects of nature experiences on stress, nature experiences that lasted 21 minutes to 30 minutes had the greatest reduction in stress levels with an 18.5% per hour drop in cortisol levels for the duration of the nature experience[9].
- Approximately 42% of adults report going online to help manage their stress. However, only 29% of these people say that going online is very or extremely effective in managing stress[10].
- According to 2022 survey results from the American Heart Association, 95% of dog and cat owners rely on their pet for stress relief[11].
- The same survey found that approximately 70% of pet owners report they prefer to spend time with their pet over watching television to reduce stress[11].
If not properly managed, stress can negatively impact multiple bodily systems and contribute to a range of health concerns, including:
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- Upset stomach
- Trouble sleeping
- Changes in appetite
- Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
Long-term effects of stress can include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Chronic fatigue
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- Heart attack
- Stroke[2]
However, Dr. Sultan explains that it’s not just about coping with chronic stress, it’s also important to manage occasional stressors as even occasional stress can impact one’s mental and physical health. Although effective stress-relief techniques will be dependent on the individual, activities such as mindfulness practices, exercise or hobbies, can significantly mitigate the adverse effects of stress.
While societal, personal and work-related factors significantly contribute to stress levels, it’s crucial for individuals to actively seek and employ stress-relief techniques that will work for them. By understanding and addressing the sources of stress, and by promoting and practicing effective management strategies, individuals can help reduce their stress levels and lower their risk for serious long-term health conditions.
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