The causes of stress vary depending on who you ask. Still, they all have one thing in common: they can be overwhelming and challenging to overcome, especially when they affect several aspects of your life. Here are the top five stressors affecting Americans today, why they're so common, and how you can address them.
What is Stress?
Stress is a normal, healthy human response to a challenging situation.
In some instances, stress can help keep you alert, motivated, and able to handle challenges better. But when the body cannot find moments of relief or relaxation, stress can severely impact physical and mental health.
Stress is often described as acute, chronic, and traumatic. The difference between these three types of stress is all about the frequency and duration of the event and its impact.
5 Common Stressors Americans Face
The American Psychological Association has found that nearly half of Americans feel more stressed than five years ago. With so much pressure today, knowing what you're up against is essential.
The most common sources of stress in the United States today fall into five categories: education, finances, family life and relationships, work, and everyday challenges.
#1 - Accumulating Micro-Stressors
In today's world, Americans are bombarded with stressful situations.
The word micro-stressor means an event that might stress an individual but wouldn't necessarily qualify as traumatic or life-threatening. These stressors occur from everyday moments that weigh us down, like getting stuck in traffic or coming home to a messy house.
The simplest way to combat these micro-stressors is by doing something easy like implementing stress relief supplements into your daily routine, prioritizing sleep, and practicing gratitude-based self-care.
#2 - Relationship Trouble
Relationship trouble can be one of the most difficult stressors to handle, varying in severity. Regardless of the cause, it's important to remember that no situation is ever hopeless, and there are ways to cope with relationship stress.
One popular way to cope is using stress relief supplements, which can help release happy hormones while providing relaxation and a state of calm. Stress relief supplements can also motivate, focus, and energize you when needed most. Seeking professional help is also beneficial when you and your partner need to work something out.
#3 - Financial Concerns
With the current economic climate, financial concerns are at an all-time high. The average American is living paycheck to paycheck with little to no savings. When you're struggling to meet your basic needs and find yourself relying on debt or family members for help, it's easy to feel like giving up.
With the worry of finances fogging your mind, it can feel impossible to clear away the fog. Connecting with a financial advisor to help set a plan for success can do wonders for wiping away some of the worries.
#4 - Work Deadlines
As an individual, a work deadline is one of the most common sources of stress, but it's also one of the most easily manageable. If you feel like your work deadlines are too much to handle, try to break them into smaller pieces, so they seem more attainable. That way, you can take care of one small chunk at a time instead of feeling overwhelmed by the sheer size and magnitude of the task.
And if you're struggling in the workplace, reach out to a trusted colleague or the human resources department for help brainstorming solutions.
#5 - Starting University
Starting university can be stressful, especially if you are moving away from home for the first time. There are many changes and new experiences, which may lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and anxious. However, starting university can also be an exciting time full of new opportunities to learn and meet life-long friends.
If you feel stressed about starting university or any other change in life, try to find ways to cope that work best for you. And remember, as a new college student, you aren't alone! Share what you're feeling with peers; perhaps, together, you can help each other adjust to all the new changes you're experiencing.
Using Supplements to Better Manage Life's Stressors
Life throws many curveballs our way, and stress can linger through those ups and downs. And when stress remains, it can feel impossible to shake. Adding a supplement like a blend of adaptogens can help manage stress more effectively.
Adaptogenic herbs help the body deal with stress by balancing the hormonal response caused by life's stressors.
Some of the most common adaptogens that work well for many people are Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea, Cordyceps, and more. Many find that a blend of adaptogenic herbs works well as you benefit from more than one herb. You can find a great example of such a blend in a supplement like Revvl Restore.
Stress has taken enough of your joy and perspective. Prioritize yourself today and see if an adaptogen blend can help you tackle everything life throws your way.
Resources & References:
The American Psychological Association: Stress in America
American Psychological Association: Stress Effects on the Body
Future Science/NIH: Effects of Chronic Stress on Health
Skills You Need: Understanding Micro-Stressors
CBC: Micro-stressors wreaking havoc on physical and mental health
