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A man deals with stress.

How stressed are you on a scale of 1 to 10? If your answer is around 5, then your level of stress is about average if you live in the United States.

A survey of residents in eight U.S. metropolitan areas released this week by the American Psychological Association shows that Americans rate their stress level at 5.2, but what is more surprising is that residents also said their ideal level of stress would be about 3.6. This data, according to clinical psychologist Michael Ritz of the California Psychological Association, suggests that Americans have reached a point where chronic stress is simply a fact of life. Concerns about work, the economy, and money were the primary sources of stress. Stress levels of residents of Los Angeles and Orange counties are on par with the national average at 5.3, but their ideal level of stress is a little higher than average at 3.9. Some psychologists said residents of these two counties may be able to handle stress better because the temperate climate allows for more stress-reducing activities.
Research shows stress contributes to chronic illnesses that account for the majority of healthcare expenses, such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

WEIGH IN:

What are the most common causes of stress in your life? What are some of the ways that you reduce stress? How has chronic stress impacted physical health and quality of life in the U.S?

Guest:

Lynn Bufka, assistant executive director of practice research and policy at the American Psychological Association (APA) and a member of APA’s Stress in America team

Michi Fu, associate professor at Alliance International University in Alhambra and licensed psychologist