There is no doubt that today’s adults are more stressed than before. This is quite ironical because we live in a progressive society, whereby life is supposed to be easier. American Psychological Association (APA) conducted a national survey on the impact on stress among adults. APA (2011) survey confirmed that about 44% of Americans have experienced increased stress levels in the past five years. A litany of issues, ranging from financial issues, health-related concerns, work-related problems and personal issues are responsible for the creation of a stressed out population.
Chronic stress among adults is a topic of concern that must be addressed because of its adverse effects. Stressed individuals tend to make situations worse for themselves, and above all they infect the people around them with negative energy. Stress is also a contributing factor to most physical and psychological conditions such as insomnia, depression, high blood pressure and obesity.
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With almost a half of the adult population dealing with chronic stress, something has to give. The society cannot go on like this, with everyone immersed in the nostalgia of the good old times that have become distant memories. Stressing about issues do not make the problems go away. For instance, stressing about work-related problems tends to worsen the situation, it reduces one’s productivity and creativity. Hence, the society needs to educate itself on symptoms of stress and how to cope with them in a more positive manner.
According to APA stress only occurs when individuals perceive the demands placed on them to be greater than their abilities. The daily demands of life can be heavy, but life still goes on and more challenging situations will be experienced. It is only wise to find healthy ways of dealing with stress in order to break the vicious cycle of chronic stress. The APA suggests five simple and healthy ways to reduce stress: taking a break from the stressor, exercise, laughing, social support and meditation. Despite their cliché nature, these methods can go a long way in reducing one’s stress. When facing a stressing situation, one should take a break and examine different ways of handling the situation instead of rushing. Taking a break is important as it gives the individual a new perspective on the situation.
Exercise is another practical option of managing chronic stress. While busy adults juggle a lot of personal and work-related issues, taking a 20-minute break to exercise is not much of a sacrifice. Fun exercises like dancing lessons, swimming and yoga provides immediate relief to stressful situations. Adults also must rely on their social support to get by the everyday stresses.
Alternatively, the importance of a reliable social support should not be neglected. Friends put things into perspective, and knowing that other people are dealing with stressing situations sometimes make some problems seem manageable. Spending time with friends and family is an opportunity to laugh and get connected with happy emotions that relieve tension.
The reality is that everyone’s life is stressful, but others choose to do something about it. The society cannot go on wallowing in anger and despair over issues that come to pass. Adults need to engage the reality and take responsibility for their lives. They need to prioritize their happiness, must actively choose a lifestyle that minimizes stress. Essentially, adults cannot get rid of all the stress, but at least they can learn to lead a happy life despite the stress.
References
APA. (2016). Five Tips to Help Manage Stress. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/manage-stress.aspx
Clay, R. (2011). Stressed in America. American Psychological Association, 41 (1), 1-60. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/01/stressed-america.aspx
