It would seem, despite increases in technology, that stress continues to rise in Western society. The most recent poll conducted by the American Psychological Association, found that approximately half of all Americans were more stressed than they were 5 years previously. It also reported that 33% of all people in the US are living under extreme stress, while many reported physical symptoms (77%) or psychological symptoms (73%) related to stress in the previous month. Physical symptoms of stress included: fatigue (51%); headache (44%); upset stomach (34%); muscle tension (30%); change in appetite (23%), teeth grinding (17%); change in sex drive (15%); and feeling dizzy (13%).
Psychological symptoms of stress included: experiencing irritability or anger (50%); feeling nervous (45%); lack of energy (45%); and feeling as though you could cry (35%). In addition, almost half (48%) of Americans report lying awake at night due to stress.
Sadly, most people surveyed said that they would only make necessary lifestyle changes after the diagnosis of a chronic condition rather than taking preventative measures.
"Stress in America continues to escalate and is affecting every aspect of people's lives — from work to personal relationships to sleep patterns and eating habits, as well as their health,” says psychologist Russ Newman, PhD, JD, APA executive director for professional practice. “We know that stress is a fact of life and some stress can have a positive impact, however, the high stress levels that many Americans report experiencing can have long-term health consequences, ranging from fatigue to obesity and heart disease.”
http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2007/10/stress.aspx
