Feeling stressed? You're not alone. “The prolonged stress experienced by adults, especially the high levels of stress reported by Americans directly linked to the pandemic, is seriously affecting mental and physical health, including changes to weight, sleep, and alcohol use,” says the American Psychological Association in a press release: "Stress in America 2021: One year later, a new wave of pandemic health concerns."
You're not alone. “The prolonged stress experienced by adults, especially the high levels of stress reported by Americans directly linked to the pandemic, is seriously affecting mental and physical health, including changes to weight, sleep, and alcohol use,” says the American Psychological Association in a press release: "Stress in America 2021: One year later, a new wave of pandemic health concerns."
The association states, “Nearly 1 in 5 adults (19%) say their mental health is worse than it was at this time last year." Younger people were more likely to report having stress-related problems than older generations, with more than 7 out of 10 Gen Z adults (ages 18-24) noting that in the prior two weeks they felt so tired that they sat around and did nothing or found it hard to concentrate or think properly.
“This survey confirms what many mental health experts have been saying since the start of the pandemic, says Arthur C. Evans, Jr., Ph.D., APA's chief executive officer. "Our mental health is suffering from the compounding stressors in our lives. This compounding stress will have serious health and social consequences if we don’t act now to reduce it."
“Loneliness and uncertainly about the future are major stressors for adolescents and young adults, who are striving to find their places in the world, both socially, and in terms of education and work," declares Emma Adam, Ph.D., Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Education and Social Policy. “Both comfort now and hope for the future are essential for the long-term well-being of this generation.”
Last week a news article stated: “Some 57% of U.S. and Canadian workers reported feeling stress on a daily basis, up by eight percentage points from the year prior and compared with 43% of people who feel that way globally, according to Gallup’s 2021 report.
“This spike isn’t surprising to Jim Harter, Gallup’s chief workplace scientist, who states that rates of daily stress, worry, sadness, and anger have been trending upward for American workers since 2009. Concerns over the virus, sickness, financial insecurity, and racial trauma all contributed to added stress during the pandemic.
Two new books at the Adventist Book Center can help you, your church members, students, and friends deal with the challenges of stress in our daily lives:
Cooling Down Stress by Cameron Johnston. This engaging, updated, and expanded book provides simple, practical steps to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression as well as dealing with deep-seated issues like anger and grief. Discover eight stress hardiness secrets that everyone needs to know, including several stress assessment tools to help you understand how stress is affecting you.
Cooling Down Teen Stress by Delight Johnston Chandler with Cameron Johnston. Stress Strategies Every Teenager Needs to Know. The interactive wellness activities and story format distinguish it from every other teen stress book on the market.
Both resources are available now at your local Adventist Book Center or at AdventistBookCenter.com: