More Atlanta residents are stressed about the economy this year according to the American Psychological Association's (APA) Stress in America survey, while the number of Atlantans reporting money or work as significant stressors in 2009 has dropped. More than 60 percent of city residents continue to report that money, work and the economy are significant sources of stress -- a cause of concern for psychologists who worry about the effects of long-term stress and how it can contribute to chronic health disorders.
The survey released today reports that the number of Atlanta residents who cited the economy as a significant cause of stress grew from 67 percent in 2008 to 74 percent in 2009. And the number of Atlantans who said their average stress level is in the extreme range remained unchanged. Slightly more than one-third rated their average stress levels as an 8, 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale (37 percent). Atlantans also report feeling the symptoms of stress at work this year. Forty percent of working Atlanta residents said they typically feel tense or stressed out during the work day, compared to 28 percent in 2008. Similar to 2008, nearly half of Atlanta residents (44 percent) said their stress increased over the past year.
Such high and long-lasting levels of stress can contribute to serious physical health problems. Diabetes, heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure are just a few of the diseases linked to chronic stress. In the APA survey, nearly 70 percent of Atlanta residents said they have been told by a health provider that they have a chronic condition. More Atlantans than the rest of the nation reported that they have high blood pressure (39 percent in Atlanta vs. 30 percent nationally) and high cholesterol (32 percent vs. 29 percent nationally).
On a positive note, fewer residents this year reported physical symptoms caused by stress. The number of Atlanta residents who said they have lain awake at night in the past month due to stress dropped nine points (45 percent in 2009 from 54 percent in 2008). Fewer Atlantans reported skipping meals because of stress (36 percent in 2009 vs. 47 percent in 2008). And similar to last year, half of Atlantans said they walk or exercise to manage stress (50 percent).
"The good news for the region is that fewer people this year are reporting health concerns, relationships and work, among other things, as significant stressors. But with more than half of us still so stressed -- that's alarming," said psychologist Dr. Angela Londono-McConnell, the public education coordinator for the Georgia Psychological Association. "When stress is ignored or managed in unhealthy ways, it will most likely lead to further health problems. This is why it's crucial for people to pay attention to their stress levels and take action."
APA's annual survey reveals that nationally nearly a quarter (24 percent) of adults reported experiencing high levels of stress, and half (51 percent) reported moderate stress levels in 2009. Many Americans continued to report that they rely on sedentary activities and unhealthy behaviors to manage their stress (49 percent listen to music, 41 percent read and 36 percent watch television or movies).
Among Americans who received lifestyle change recommendations from a health care provider, few reported that their health care provider offered support to help them make lasting changes -- only 46 percent were given an explanation about why they had been given a lifestyle change recommendation; only 35 percent were offered advice or shown techniques to help make changes; and only 5-10 percent were referred to another health care provider to support the adoption of lifestyle changes. In general, people cited a number of barriers in their efforts to make lasting lifestyle and behavior changes, including lack of willpower (33 percent); not enough time (20 percent); and lack of confidence (14 percent). More than one in ten people cited stress as the barrier preventing them from making lifestyle and behavior changes (14 percent of adults reported they are too stressed to make these changes).
Similar to the rest of the nation, nearly a third of Atlanta residents (30 percent) said they were prevented from following through with lifestyle change recommendations due to a lack of willpower. But more Atlantans than the rest of the nation reported they are embarrassed to work out in a gym or other public places (14 percent vs. 9 percent nationally).
The Georgia Psychological Association offers these tips to help manage chronic stress:
- Set limits. List all of the projects and commitments that are making you feel overwhelmed. Identify those things that you absolutely must do in order to survive. Cut back on anything non-essential.
- Tap into your support system. Reach out to a close friend and/or relative. Let them know you are having a tough time and accept their support and guidance. There is no need to face challenging life circumstances alone.
- Make one health-related commitment. One small step like cutting back on your caffeine consumption can have a positive effect. Studies show that without caffeine, people report feeling more relaxed, sleeping better and having more energy. Regular aerobic exercise, such as taking a brisk walk, can lessen your anxiety and reduce your stress.
- Strive for a positive outlook. Looking at situations more positively, seeing problems as opportunities, having realistic expectations, and refuting negative thoughts are all important aspects of staying positive and trying to minimize your stress.
- Seek additional help. If feelings of chronic stress persist, or you are experiencing hopelessness or trouble getting through your daily routine, seek consultation with a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist. Psychologists are trained to help you develop strategies to manage stress effectively and make behavioral changes to help improve your overall health. For additional information on managing stress, visit www.apahelpcenter.org.
Methodology
The 2009 Stress in America research was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Psychological Association between July 21, 2009 and August 4, 2009 among 1,568 adults aged 18+ who reside in the U.S. and an oversample of 201 adults aged 18+ who reside in Atlanta. In the 2008 research, 243 Atlanta residents were included in the oversample. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.
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