Americans are overstressed — and you probably didn’t need a national study [PDF] to tell you that. But the recently released survey — of more than 2,000 adults and 1,100 tweens and teens — by the American Psychological Association finds that the most anxious groups in the country aren’t the ones you’d immediately expect.
Who’s Stressed in America? The Answer May Surprise You
Westerners may be stressed out, but the most anxious among them may be the residents of a certain sunny and sprawling metropolis in Southern California. Not only are stress levels higher in La La Land than in the rest of the country, but job satisfaction is lower too: only 44% of people working in Los Angeles said they would recommend their place of work to a prospective job seeker, compared with 53% of all Americans. L.A. residents were also more likely than Americans overall to point to the economy as a source of stress (75% versus 65%). Two-thirds of Angelenos reported not getting enough sleep or not managing their stress properly, even though the vast majority agreed that both factors are essential to good health. While praying, attending religious services and shopping were among the three most popular ways that Americans assuaged stress, Los Angeles residents fell well below the national average in participation of all three activities. Another geographical hazard: the pressure to look good impacted 30% of L.A. residents "a lot." Next: The Obese More on Time.com: 5 Ways to Beat the Winter Doldrums Don't Choke: 5 Tips for Performing Under Pressure