- The American Psychological Association’s Stress in America survey has revealed that Americans were under greater stress in 2020 than in previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- This stress could have an impact for years to come.
- No one is immune to stress, but certain groups, like Gen Z teens and young adults, have been particularly affected.
- Connectedness and self-care are important ways we can become more resilient to stress.
Each year since 2007 the American Psychological Association (APA) has conducted its Stress in America Survey.
This survey takes a look at how stressed Americans are, why they are stressed, and how they are responding to that stress.
While factors such as the economy, racism, and political strife have always played a role in people’s stress levels, the APA is reporting that the year 2020 was different.
In addition to these factors, the country faced the relentless presence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the pandemic has come a great loss of life.
In addition, people who have recovered from COVID-19 may have “long-haul COVID-19,” and deal with chronic symptoms long after their initial infection.
Even people who have successfully avoided the virus have been affected in other ways, such as job loss and financial uncertainty.
And, compounding all of this, has been a backdrop of racism and political struggle.
According to the APA, these factors have all added up to “a national mental health crisis that could yield serious health and social consequences for years to come.”
Source: healthline