Posted on April 29, 2019

Feeling stressed?  If so, you’re not alone.

Last week, The Gallup organization reported the results of its 2018 annual study of emotions involving more than 151,000 people in 140 countries (https://news.gallup.com/poll/249098/americans-stress-worry-anger-intensified-2018.aspx.)  Not surprisingly, Americans are feeling stress, anger and worry at the highest levels in a decade, with 55% of U.S. adults experiencing stress during ‘a lot of the day,’ compared with just 35% globally.  This put us about equal to Greece, which, since 2012, has reported the highest level of stress of any country.  “What really stood out for the U.S. is the increase in the negative experiences,” said Julie Ray, Gallup’s managing editor for world news.  In fact, the level of negative emotions reported by Americans is higher than during our recession.

For this they needed a survey?  Talk to any 10 people you see today and my bet is that 80% of them will tell you that their level of stress and/or anger is high and likely higher than it was last year.  Even in the midst of a strong economy.  Such is the nature of living in this country now, especially in an urban area.

We’re all confronted with stress-inducing issues.  In the San Francisco Bay Area, we’ve got:  traffic; homelessness; the cost of living, including the price of gasoline (now well over $4.00/gallon for regular!); and the rights of immigrants.  (We worry, too, about the Warriors, but that’s a topic for another day.)  In Denver, include the safety of children at school on the list.  In Flint, Michigan, tap water remains a significant source of stress even while it improves.  Now, sadly, in San Diego – and in every Jewish community throughout the country – include the safety of Jews in synagogue.  (Missed it?  Six months to the day of the murder of 11 at prayer in the Tree of Life Temple in Pittsburgh, 1 was killed and 3 were injured in a shooting Saturday in Congregation Chabad in Poway, California, during Shabbat services on the last day of Passover, one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar.  An AR-type assault weapon was used.  Again.  Reports suggest that the rifle jammed, which likely reduced the number of victims.)

More stressors for the list:  being a person of color in nearly any community nationwide, the cost of healthcare, being Muslim, the security of our southern border, global warming, reproductive rights, LGBQT rights, the opioid epidemic, the fear of an economic downturn, voter suppression, Brexit.  That’s nothing compared to making ends meet for individuals working 2 or 3 jobs and living at or below the poverty level, or for those saddled with crushing student debt.  Or for people still attempting to rebuild after losing everything in any of the many national disasters we’ve had over the last few years.  Or for anyone living in Puerto Rico.

If this weren’t enough, there are the tensions caused by the administration.  It began with ‘fake news,’ ‘hoax,’ ‘witch hunt.’ Then, ‘murderers,’ ‘drug dealers,’ ‘rapists, ‘caravan’ and ‘invasion.’  Not to forget ‘Deep State’ and the media being ‘the enemy of the people.’  Now it’s ‘spying,’ ‘coup’ and ‘Socialism.’ All are words used specifically to create fear, anger and division.  We’re being taught to hate each other and anyone different.  Anxiety and stress are logical outcomes.  According to Gallup, it’s working masterfully.  Few are immune, regardless of political affiliation.  We’re all affected.

The list of stressors has something for everyone.  Pick your topic(s), find your fear(s).  Allow the tension, anxiety, anger and stress to build.  Let it define who you are, who we are, as it is intended.  For we’re only #2 on the list. The United States, second to another country?  Disgraceful.  Next year, if we work hard, stay focused and do nothing to solve any of our problems, we can overtake Greece.  We can become the true global champion of anxiety and stress.  It’s our rightful place, after all.  We can’t – and won’t – be denied.  Because we are the greatest country on Earth, even when it comes to emotions that destroy health and wellbeing and, at a fundamental level, the very quality of life.

Sarcasm and cynicism aside, I have one last note:  it’s the plan for us to be stressed, for us to be afraid, for us to be angry. It’s being done to us.  Life doesn’t have to be this hard.  Life shouldn’t be this hard.  Life isn’t this hard.  Just ask anyone from any non-Greek country.  They’ll tell you that life is good.

This is one poll not to win.  There are things we can and should do to reduce stress at home and at work to improve the quality of our life.  Before it’s too late.  Because life is good.  It certainly beats the alternative.

More on this next week.