Americans Coping With Stress:
TrendsSpotting is following the results of the APA summer
2008 survey and presents views and tips for better coping -
suggested by the experts:

%
Of Americans say they are increasingly stressed about their
ability to provide for their family's basic needs.

%
Of Americans say that the economy is a major cause of stress.

88%
66%
Apr Sep
Source :APA Survey

Male Female
83% 84%
78% 75%
70%
63% 66%
55% 57% 58%
Money Job Stability Famiy Health The Economy Housing Cost
Problem
Source :APA Sept 2008 Survey

Women Stress Report (By Age)
Millennials (Age 18-29) Gen Xers (Age 30-43)
Boomers (Age 44-62) Matures (Age 63+)
87% 86%
83% 83%
79% 78% 79%
73% 71% 70%
67% 68%
62%
58% 58% 57% 59% 57%
49%
43%
Money The Economy Family Health Housing Costs Job Stability
Problems
Source :APA Sept 2008 Survey

Common Symptoms Of Stress
Reported
Today more people report
physical and emotional 2007 2008
symptoms due to stress than
they did in 2007 60%
51% 53% 52%
50% 48%
Fatigue Anger/Irritability Awake At Night
Source :APA Sept 2008 Survey

Women Report More Stress
Symptoms
Women were more likely than men to report physical
symptoms of stress
Female Male
35%
29% 29%
25% 25% 26%
23% 23% 22% 21% 23%
19% 18% 18%
13% 14%
10%
7%
Fatigue
Lack of Energy
Feeling Nervous
Headache
Indigestion
Depressed
Muscular Tension
Feeling as if
Irritability/ anger
Crying
Source :APA Sept 2008 Survey

%
reported overeating or eating unhealthy foods to
manage stress
Source :APA Sept 2008 Survey

%
skipped a meal in the last month because of stress.
Source :APA Sept 2008 Survey

Women At Risk..
Female Male
56%
43%
40%
32%
25%
11%
Eating Poorly Shopping Napping
Source :APA Sept 2008 Survey

Alcoholism..
18%
Almost one-fifth of
Americans report drinking
alcohol to manage their
stress
Source :APA Sept 2008 Survey

%
Reported Smoking.
Source :APA Sept 2008 Survey

Psychologist Katherine Nordal, PhD,
APA's Executive Director for Professional Practice
\"The economy is taking an emotional and physical toll
on America, especially among women. Many say they
are handling their stress well. Yet, people report more
physical and emotional symptoms. If Americans continue
to experience these high levels of stress for prolonged periods of
time, they are at risk for developing serious illnesses\".

Managing Stress..APA Tips
nderstand how you
experience stress
dentify your sources of
stress.eg. children,
family, health, financial
decisions, etc
earn your own stress
signals.
ecognize how you deal
with stress eg
.smoking,

Managing Stress..APA Tips
ind healthy ways to manage
stress e.g. meditation,
exercising or talking things
out with friends or family..
ake care of yourself. e.g eat
right, get enough sleep, drink
plenty of water.
Each out for support.e.g.
help from supportive friends /
family & psychologist

Josh Klapow, clinical psychologist,
http://blogs.uab.edu/drjoshk)
1. Take action. \"Make a family budget, meet with an accountant, trade in a
vehicle for a more fuel-efficient model, carpool - do things to help reduce
your stress\"
2. Take a step back. \"Don't saturate yourself with stressful information. Stay
informed, but take a news break. Most people don't need to track the
markets minute by minute.“
3. Stay connected. \"Don't let the rest of your life dwindle away. Make sure
you are paying attention to daily activities: family, friends, social occasions
and recreation.\"
4. Pay attention to yourself. \"Remember that stress takes a physical toll.
Learn meditation and do muscle relaxation. More simply, pay attention to
your stress level throughout the day and occasionally breathe slowly and
deeply”

Kathleen Zelman
WebMD’s Director of Nutrition
Notorious Tips:
\"Many people reach for food and eat more often when they're anxious, but it doesn't work
in the long run. Under stress, people tend to seek pleasurable foods that are high in fat and
sugar, like chocolate or apple pie. Those foods may provide a \"very short-term calming
effect, but that's all you get, because food really can't do anything to help you cope with
stress\".
Zelman's advice:
• Find other ways to relax, such as going for a walk, meditating, or listening to music.
• Have some healthy snacks on hand. Try nuts, trail mix, or baby carrots and celery; their
crunch \"helps release some of that nervous energy\"
• Keep portions small.

APA Survey Methodology
The 2008 Stress in America research was conducted online within the United States by
Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Psychological Association between June
23, 2008 and August 13, 2008 among 1791 adults aged 18+ who reside in the U.S.
For comparison – see previous APA surveys:
2007 indications:
http://www.apa.org/releases/stressproblem.html 2007 indications
April 2008 indications
http://apahelpcenter.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=51

Insights From Google Trends
Americans in search for “stress” related issues
Hitting new peaks: September – October 08

Insights From Google Trends
Americans are in search of \"stress\" – mostly in the north – east part of
The United States

Thank
You