Is all of the US stressed, or is it just me?
The short answer: It’s not just you.
It’s okay not to be okay.
Now and always.
The American Psychological Association (APA) does a yearly survey from people across the United States that is focused on stress. They try to understand what are the sources of people’s stress, what is the intensity of the stress, and how are people responding to stress. Not surprisingly, this years numbers were unprecedented. The persistent stress and trauma for all age groups have caused people to live in perpetual uncertainty, experience increased stress levels, and depression.
The Numbers
“8 in 10 adults say the coronavirus is a significant source of stress in their life.”
“2 in 3 adults say they have experienced increased stress over the course of the pandemic.”
“Nearly half of adults (49%) report their behavior being negatively affected. Most commonly, they report increased tensions in their bodies (21%), “snapping” or getting angry very quickly (20%), unexpected mood swings (20%), or screaming or yelling at a loved one (17%).”
“More than 3 in 4 adults (77%) say the future of our nation is a significant source of stress.”
Generation Z teens: “half (50%) say the pandemic has severely disrupted their plans for the future. A similar proportion (51%) report that the coronavirus pandemic makes planning their future feel impossible.”
“Two-thirds (68%) of adults say the current political climate or 2020 U.S. presidential election (68%) is a significant source of stress.”
Okay, I can relate… Now what?
As a family or with friends, create space to talk about these things non-judgmentally.
Take time to point out three things you appreciate or that were good about your day, saying them out loud or writing them down in a journal. When done habitually this rewires your brain to foster resilience.
Focus on doing your best on any given day, knowing this may vary day to day.
Make small, attainable goals for yourself, like literally just getting out of bed or changing out of pjs on those rougher days.
Find a professional to talk with or reach out to someone you can confide in.
Get creative with planning things to look forward to (like eating all the halloween candy that trick or treaters won’t be picking up this year or planning a dress up game night on Zoom, extra points for themes).
Remember that you are not alone in how you are feeling and even though some people may have it worse, it does not mean your feelings or experience are any less valid.
Doc Hotz
American Psychological Association, “Stress in America 2020, A National Mental Health Crisis”, October 2020.
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2020/report-october