a stressed nation_amaricans search for a healthy balance
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 4
Children Bring Added Joys, Added Stress to Parents ................................................ 8
Facing Various Stressors, Americans of All Ages Seek Better Management Techniques .................................................................... 10
Stress Proves a Thorn in the Side of Men Across America ...................................... 12
Women Face Increased Stress as Part of Balancing Act of Everyday Life ................ 14
The Midwest ........................................................................................................ 16
The Northeast ....................................................................................................... 18
The West .............................................................................................................. 20
The South ............................................................................................................. 22
About Healthy World ............................................................................................. 24
About TeleVox ....................................................................................................... 25
A Stressed Nation:Americans Search for a Healthy Balance
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance2
About this StudyA Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance is based on a
survey of more than 1,130 Americans ages 18 and older and 463 healthcare
providers representing a variety of specialties and disciplines. The research
was conducted in collaboration with Kelton Research using an email invitation
and an online survey format.
In the case of individuals, quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate
representation of the total U.S. population ages 18 and over. Results of any
sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation
is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of
the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances
are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than
3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had
been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance 3
In a nation where we find ourselves consistently being measured for performance—ranging from career accomplishments to classroom success—it comes as no surprise that people across the nation are stressed to the max.
Around the country, Americans are struggling to find ways to deal with the
extreme levels of stress they are facing. Learning how to manage stress, or
even use it as a motivator, is a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle.
Stress doesn’t have to be something we fear. In fact, a small level of stress
can be beneficial. According to Healthguidance.org, stress can offer
benefits if we turn negative feelings into a positive—a term coined eustress
by endocrinologist Hans Selye. Eustress can serve as a motivator, enhance
brain function, and harness nervous energy if managed properly. The key is
successful management of our surroundings—including daily life, work-related
issues, and our health—in order to allow us to benefit from this eustress.
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance4
However, many Americans haven’t developed the proper
techniques to manage their stress. In fact, the American
Psychological Association states that 20 percent of
Americans reported stress levels that are extreme (8, 9 or
10 on a 10-point scale), with the mean stress level a 4.9.
This stress is prevalent in many aspects of Americans’
lives. As reported by A Stressed Nation: Americans
Search for a Healthy Balance, stress is a part of many
people’s daily lives:
� Close to two-thirds, 64 percent, of
Americans reported stress during a
typical workday.
� 55 percent of Americans reported feeling
stressed during their everyday life.
� Nearly half (44 percent) of Americans said
they could do a better job of managing
their stress.
There are many stressors built into our daily lives. Finding
effective ways to manage these stressors leads to
healthier responses to stressful situations, such as not
getting upset when someone throws a project at you at
3:30 on a Friday afternoon or when you come home to a
messy house and hungry kids after a busy day at work.
In order to manage these high levels of stress, however, the
majority of healthcare providers recommend something
that each one of us can do: exercise. Obviously, taking
ten deep breaths or stepping away from the situation
for a minute can resolve an issue temporarily, making
yourself and everyone around you happier. But exercise
can be a daily way to relieve excess stress and release
healthy endorphins. Eighty-eight percent of doctors said
they would recommend exercise as a tool to combat
stress. This needs to be communicated more from doctor
to patient, however, because according to A Stressed
Nation, only 58 percent of Americans said their doctor has
suggested exercise as a way to control their stress level.
Adding exercise—be it a walk in the neighborhood, lifting
weights, or participating in a favorite sport or recreational
activity—to a daily routine can help many Americans
manage their stress.
Without successful management of stress, Americans
could face a variety of negative side effects. According
to A Stressed Nation, 52 percent of Americans reported
that stress is negatively impacting their life. And an even
higher number, 65 percent, of healthcare providers said
that stress is negatively impacting their patients’ lives.
Unfortunately, the health of the nation is being affected by
this stress. It can affect your body, mood and behavior. As
reported by the Mayo Clinic, stress has a host of negative
effects on the mind and body:
� Body: Headaches, muscle tension, chest
pain, fatigue, heart attack, stroke, cancer.
� Mood: Anxiety, restlessness, lack of
motivation, irritability, sadness, depression.
� Behavior: Overeating, angry outbursts,
drug or alcohol abuse, social withdrawal.
Americans who say their doctor has suggested exercise as a way to control their stress level
58%
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance 5
Without a proper way to release stress—through
exercise, meditation, or talking with a doctor to find other
techniques—these health problems are going to continue
to negatively affect lives.
Fortunately, healthcare providers can help patients improve
their management of stress. Two-thirds (66 percent) of
providers said that emails, text messages, or phone calls
with personalized tips from doctors between visits would
help patients better manage their overall health, including
their stress level. Additionally, according to A Stressed
Nation, 61 percent of Americans would be interested in
and/or happy to receive communications from their doctor
with tips on how to manage stress. Keeping patients
actively engaged about managing their stress has to be a
concern, as 49 percent of Americans said they would be
more likely to ignore stress or treat a symptom of stress
than fix the overall problem. Without understanding where
that stressor is and how to manage it, many Americans will
continue to struggle with this problem.
Taking the step of opening the lines of communication
remains a problem, and healthcare providers need to
provide encouragement and feedback to their patients.
Currently, just 35 percent of Americans have taken the
step of discussing the negative impact of stress with
their healthcare provider. Additionally, the APA reports
that 53 percent of Americans said that their healthcare
provider offers little or no support to help them manage
stress. Giving patients the information needed to lead
healthy lifestyles, both physically and emotionally,
should be a priority for all providers. This is highlighted
by the fact that 91 percent of healthcare providers
reported that their patients could do a better job of
managing their current stress level. With healthcare
providers and patients working together, stress can be
managed effectively.
Healthcare providers can also play a part in helping
Americans understand the type of stress patients are
feeling. As reported by A Stressed Nation, 71 percent of
healthcare providers said their patients have discussed
their current stress level with them. Additionally,
34 percent of Americans reported they feel somewhat
or very stressed at the current moment. If Americans
understand their type of stress, healthcare providers can
help with solutions to help manage the stress.
71%Providers who say their patients have discussed their current stress level with them
43%Americans who say that learning how stress affects other aspects of their life would help them better manage their overall health and lifestyle
66% of providers say that emails, text messages, or phone calls with personalized tips from doctors between visits would help patients better manage their overall health, including their stress level.
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance6
As reported by the APA Help Center, stress can occur in
three different forms: acute stress, episodic acute stress
and chronic stress.
� Acute stress is the most common form of
stress that is brought forth by demands and
pressures of daily life. It can be exciting if it
comes in small doses and is highly treatable
and manageable.
� Episodic acute stress is seen most when
people have too many irons in the fire.
Trying to have excessive control (much like
the classic Type-A personality) or useless
worrying (known as the worry warts) can
lead to more stress daily.
� Chronic stress is the dark stress that
impacts our lives the most if not properly
managed. This type of stress wears people
down, literally destroying minds, bodies
and lives.
Finally, it is important to note that better stress
management will lead to a better overall lifestyle for
many Americans. According to A Stressed Nation,
43 percent of Americans said that learning how stress
affects other aspects of their life would help them
better manage their overall health and lifestyle. Carrying
stress over from one area of life to another can not only
ruin relationships in that area, but can put a negative
spin on what would otherwise be enjoyable activities.
Understanding how to manage stress in each different
area can give Americans more control of their lives while
leading to a healthy lifestyle.
Doctors who say they would recommend exercise as a tool to combat stress.88%
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance 7
Children Bring Added Joys, Added Stress to Parents
There is no doubt that adding kids to a family brings joy and happiness. But it is also no surprise that it
creates more work and more responsibility. Parents reported more stress than non-parents because of
the additional responsibilities that are placed on their shoulders with children to care for. And while the
number of parents is down from decades past, the responsibility levels have remained constant.
According to the U.S. Census, 46 percent of families in
America have children under 18 at home, a number down
11 percent from the all-time high—57 percent—in 1963.
Parents still have the job of managing their children’s
lives—from getting them to school and activities on time
to taking care of managing their health—while juggling the
same responsibilities in their own lives that non-parents
have. Thus, it’s easy to see why stress levels for parents
are far greater than non-parents.
The surprise between the two groups, however, comes in
the gap in the numbers. According to A Stressed Nation:
Americans Search for a Healthy Balance, 65 percent
of American parents reported being stressed during
everyday life, while just 49 percent of non-parents said
they are affected on a daily basis. Obviously, taking care
of children—in addition to other responsibilities all adults
have—adds stress to parents’ lives.
In addition to the stresses of everyday parenthood,
American parents deal with the same stress that other
adults deal with at work. But for some reason, parents
reported a much higher amount of stress during the
workday. As A Stressed Nation reports, 74 percent of
parents (and just 56 percent of non-parents) reported
stress during a typical workday. Parents are constantly
thinking about what they have to do in their home life—
mothers even more than fathers, in fact. When adding
the stress that comes along with a job to this constant
worry, stress piles up around every corner and with
every new assignment.
Throwing all of these stressors into one makes far more
parents stressed at the current moment than non-
parents. According to A Stressed Nation, 46 percent
of American parents—compared with 29 percent of
non-parents—reported feeling stressed at the present
moment. And while stress can be a positive, and even
used as a motivator in some cases, 59 percent of parents
said that stress has negatively impacted their overall
health. Negative stress can lead to chronic headaches,
stomach pains, and even heart issues or stroke.
What many parents need to realize is that poorly
managing their own stress level can have a negative
impact on their children.
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance8
As reported by U.S. News Health, children with stressed-
out parents tend to eat more fast food, a leading cause
of childhood obesity. Additionally, Forbes highlighted
the Harry Harlow study from years ago that found that
a comforting image is more soothing to children than a
wire figure. Parents that appear stressed—inattentive,
irritable, or snippy—could cause emotional damage to
their children.
Understanding ways to manage negative stress is key
for parents to handle high-pressure situations. As A
Stressed Nation highlighted, 53 percent of parents
and 39 percent of non-parents said they could do a
better job of managing their stress. But how do they
do this? Parents, in particular, don’t have extra time to
spend experimenting with stress relievers. Talking with
healthcare providers is a great way to start because these
professionals have the expertise necessary to provide
insight on improving stress management. Unfortunately,
just 31 percent of non-parents and 41 percent of parents
have discussed the negative impact of stress on their
health with their doctor.
It is time for healthcare providers to give Americans the
encouragement they need by opening additional lines of
communication. And more than half of adults—66 percent
of parents and 57 percent of non-parents—said
they would be interested in and/or happy to receive
communication from their doctor with tips on how to
manage stress. Despite this desire for communication,
many Americans are not receiving the tips and feedback
they need. While counting to ten and stepping away from
the situation are short-term management tools, the Mayo
Clinic provides an example of the tips patients could
receive from providers on how to minimize the negative
effects stress has on their health:
� Think positively
� Change your emotional response
to stressors
� Embrace spirituality
� Protect your time
� Restore work-life balance
� Try meditation
� Keep your cool
� Maintain a social network to help
Understanding where stress comes from, as well as the
best way to manage it, is important for all Americans,
parents and non-parents alike. Because of the additional
stressors that come along with parenthood, parents
must begin talking with healthcare providers before their
health—or the health of their children—suffers because of
poor stress management.
Report being stressed during everyday life
Report a much higher amount of stress during the workday
Report feeling stressed at the present moment
Say they would be interested in and/or happy to receive communication from their doctor with tips on how to manage stress
PARENTS NON-PARENTS
65% 49%
74% 56%
49%
66%
29%
57%
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance 9
Facing Various Stressors, Americans of All Ages Seek Better Management Techniques
Many things get better with age: As cheese ages the flavor is better, and many adult beverages take
time to acquire the perfect taste. It is even said that while parents love having their own kids, becoming
a grandparent is like having a second dessert. But when it comes to stress among Americans, young
adults are far more stressed than the older generations. Many young Americans are fresh into the
workplace— starting out on their own and beginning to raise a family—all of which come with stress.
Unlike younger adults, many older Americans have established a comfortable lifestyle for themselves.
They are reaching retirement age and the stressors of everyday life are decreasing.
As reported by the American Psychological Association,
half of all Millennials (ages 18-33), said that their stress
keeps them awake at night. They also reported their
average level of stress is a 5.4 on a 10-point scale, higher
than the 4.9 average among other age groups. One of the
biggest issues for this age group is the amount of debt
they are racking up and the inability for many to find a
good job. As reported by the Women’s Health Network,
many Americans are coming out of college with fresh
degrees, new ideas, and a motivation to work, but are
not finding jobs in their career field. When you are doing
something you don’t enjoy, your stress level increases
due to the lack of fulfillment you find in your work.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that many members
of the young generations do not know how to properly
manage their stress. According to A Stressed Nation:
Americans Search for a Healthy Balance, more 18-34 year
olds than any other age group reported they feel somewhat
or very stressed at the current moment—45 percent of
the youngest group, 37 percent of 35-44 year olds and
38 percent of 45-54 year olds. Additionally, more than half
of all age groups—led by 60 percent of the 18-34 year
olds—said that stress has negatively impacted their overall
health. Without a proper mechanism to release stress,
Americans are facing significant health problems.
This is where healthcare providers can step in. Providers
can initiate wellness visits, send out emails and
information on how to successfully manage stress, and
follow up with their patients to check their progress in
Millennials (ages 18-33) average level of stress on a 10-point scale
5.4
60% 18-34 year olds who say that stress has negatively impacted their overall health
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance10
following current treatment plans. Currently, according
to A Stressed Nation, Americans of all generations
reported they would be interested in and/or happy to
receive communications from their doctor with tips on
how to manage stress. Unfortunately, just over a third of
Americans (42 percent of 35-44 year olds, 38 percent of
45-54 year olds, and 34 percent 18-34 year olds) have
taken the step of discussing the negative impact of stress
on their health with their doctor. This communication
needs to occur more often, and both patients and
providers should place a higher level of importance on
ensuring that stress is managed successfully as part of a
healthy lifestyle.
Unfortunately, the sedentary lifestyle of Americans isn’t
aiding in combating stress. While healthcare providers
recommend exercise as a stress management tool, many
Americans do not have an active lifestyle. Exercise is a
proven stress reliever—it decreases stress hormones
such as cortisol, while increasing endorphins at the same
time. Endorphins are the body’s “feel good” chemicals.
When they are released, as they are during exercise, your
mood is naturally boosted As reported in a the TeleVox
Healthy World Report, The Obesity Epidemic: Unhealthy
Habits Result in a Growing Problem for Americans, 35-44
year olds led all age groups in reporting that not getting
enough exercise has negatively impacted their health.
The same group led all ages in A Stressed Nation with
69 percent (compared with 54 percent of 18-34 year olds
and 45-54 year olds) reporting their doctor suggested
exercise as a way to control their stress level.
Americans across the generations are struggling to find
the best way to balance the obligations of their busy
lifestyles, which also leads to their stress levels. As
reported by A Stressed Nation, close to two-thirds of all
Americans reported being stressed during everyday life:
65 percent of 18-34 year olds, 64 percent of 35-44 year
olds and 60 percent of 45-54 year olds. This isn’t really
surprising, as the youngest age group is starting families
and paying off student loans, while older generations
don’t have many of these stressors. The numbers do shift
slightly when looking at the work place:
� 35-44 year olds reported the most stress at
the workplace, 70 percent, likely because
this age group carries their stresses of work
home, and vice versa.
� 67 percent of 18-34 year olds reported
being stressed in the workplace. This age
group is new to the workplace and trying to
find their fit, as well as balance work with
the rest of their life.
� The lowest percentage, 60 percent, of
45-54 year olds reported being stressed
at work. This age group is settled into their
jobs and beginning to reach the downhill
slide to retirement, but more men in this age
group are still concerned with money.
Finding a balance to keep stress under control and
remain healthy should be a priority among Americans
of every age. A great way to accomplish this is to
talk with doctors and healthcare providers about the
options available to combat both. Working with these
professionals can help America to be less stressed for
years to come.
65% of 18–34 year olds
64% of 35–44 year olds
60% of 45–54 year olds
Americans who report being stressed during everyday life:
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance 11
Stress Proves a Thorn in the Side of Men Across America
While it is no surprise women have a great deal of responsibility on their plate, leading to more stress
in their daily lives, men also find themselves battling stress on a daily basis. And while women reported
a majority of their stress to be in the home, more men than women believe that stress is negatively
affecting their health. Unfortunately for men across America, this leads to a higher risk of negative side
effects, ranging from indigestion and sleepless nights to heart disease and stroke.
Finding time to discuss stress with doctors and healthcare
providers needs to be a top priority for men. The best
way to go about doing this is regular interaction and
engagement with healthcare providers. With the advances
in technology, this can be as simple as health providers
sending an email, leaving a voicemail or sending a text
message between office visits with advice on how to be
more successful with managing stress. All of these options
can lead to a healthier and less stressed America.
As reported by A Stressed Nation: Americans Search
for a Healthy Balance, just one third of American men
(32 percent) have taken the step of discussing the impact
stress has on their health with their doctor. But healthcare
providers can provide the missing link between the
stressed world we live in and a more relaxed nation
in better health. Getting information into the hands of
patients on how to better manage stress is the key. Nearly
two-thirds (64 percent) of American men, eight percent
higher than American women, would be interested in and/
or happy to receive communications from their doctor
with tips on how to manage their stress.
Understanding where stress comes from is also a
vital part of managing the issue. According to Time
Magazine’s Healthland, American men cited three main
causes of stress and anxiety:
� Most men (69 percent) cited financial
problems and conflicts as their biggest stress.
� Sixty five percent of American men said
work was the driving force behind stress.
A Stressed Nation reported nearly the
same, as 64 percent of men across America
reported their biggest stress coming during
a typical workday.
� More than half of men, 56 percent, reported
their biggest stress is relationship issues.
Trying to start a relationship, or keep one
going, is stressful in and of itself.
The biggest difference between the amount of stress
reported by men and women comes in everyday life.
While a third of Americans—33 percent of men and
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance12
36 percent of women—reported they feel somewhat or
very stressed at the current moment, just 49 percent of
men said they are stressed during everyday life. That is
11 percent lower than the 60 percent of women that are
feeling stressed during their everyday life. Why is this?
Typically, men tend to devote more time to their job,
focusing on advancing in the workplace with promotions,
while women try to balance a career with duties on
the home front. And while men are taking on more
responsibilities in the home, the stress level associated
with this doesn’t seem to be quite the same.
The good news for men across America is that stress
can be successfully managed and can be channeled in
positive ways. According to Psychology Today, stress
doesn’t come from physical things: your kids, your
work, or traffic jams. Stress comes from your thoughts
about these situations and the anticipation of the
negative consequences that come along with them. So
understanding how to control these negative thoughts—
and not placing too much emphasis on the situations
that cause you the most stress—can lead to better
stress management.
Unfortunately, many men haven’t found a way to
effectively manage their stress and aren’t doing enough
to learn how. As reported by A Stressed Nation,
42 percent of men admitted they could do a better job of
managing their stress. Additionally, the same percentage
(42 percent) of men said that learning how stress affects
other aspects of their life would help them better manage
their overall health and lifestyle. Healthcare providers
across the country are willing and able to step in and
help, as they know stress can lead to chronic headaches,
sleepless nights and even heart issues and suicides.
Those that have talked to healthcare providers are turning
to exercise as a management tool, as 60 percent of men
said their doctor suggested getting active as a way to
manage stress.
No matter what tool is used, talking with doctors and
healthcare providers is a great first step for anyone
struggling with managing their stress. If it isn’t managed
early, stress can lead to an unhealthy America. Currently,
46 percent of men admit that stress has already
negatively impacted their overall health. Taking time to
talk with healthcare providers to reverse these effects
must be a priority for men across the nation.
64%Men who would be interested in and/or happy to receive communications from their doctor with tips on how to manage their stress
42%Men who say that learning how stress affects other aspects of their life would help them better manage their overall health and lifestyle
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance 13
Women Face Increased Stress as Part of Balancing Act of Everyday Life
Life in general is a balancing act. Trying to devote the necessary time to home, work, and social life
can be a struggle. While women are becoming more established in the workplace, many household
responsibilities, including often taking on the main role in raising children, also fall on their shoulders
daily. Each aspect of life carries varying degrees of stress, and finding ways to properly manage these
stressors is key to a healthy lifestyle.
Men and women get stressed over different things, leading
to different negative health effects. According to the APA,
women were more likely to report that money (79 percent
to 73 percent of men) and the economy (68 percent
compared with 61 percent of men) cause them significant
stress daily. With the variation in stressors—and amount of
worry placed on each one—men and women clearly have
different side effects from stress. Unfortunately, women
report having both more physical and emotional stress-
related side effects than men. Many women said that
headaches and upset stomachs/indigestion have been
common for them in the last five years, as 49 percent of
women said their stress has increased in that same time
period compared with 40 percent of men.
While some stress in our lives is unavoidable, finding
ways to properly manage this stress is the key to better
health. Unfortunately, too many women across the nation
haven’t found effective ways to manage their stress.
According to A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for
a Healthy Balance, 58 percent of women admitted that
stress has negatively impacted their overall health. Not
only is physical health—headaches, an upset stomach
or something as severe as heart disease—affected,
but emotional stability is often compromised with poor
stress management. In fact, according to the American
Psychological Association:
� Women were three times more likely than
men to feel like they could cry as a result of
a stressful situation.
� Additionally, 31 percent of women
(compared with 21 percent of men) reported
that they are more likely to turn to food
when stressed out.
� And more women than men—42 percent
compared with 28 percent—said they need
encouragement from friends or family to
lead a less stressful lifestyle.
Where does this stress come from? A Stressed Nation
indicated that an equal percentage (64 percent) of men
and women report stress during a typical workday.
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance14
However, there is a significant gap between men and
women when reporting stress during everyday life.
Sixty percent of women—and just 49 percent of men—
feel daily stress. The difference may lie in the extra
responsibilities many women take on at home. In addition
to assuring schedules are balanced and maintained,
the pressures of presenting a positive image adds to
the stress women feel. And this stress is catching up to
women quickly. According to ABC News, middle-aged
women (ages 45-64) could be the first generation to not
outlive their male counterparts. And their life expectancy
is five to seven years shorter!
Proper stress management is key to reducing the
overwhelming feeling associated with stress. By
implementing the proper techniques, Americans can look
forward to a healthier lifestyle and longer life expectancy.
Unfortunately, more than half (55 percent) of American
women, as reported by A Stressed Nation, said they
would be more likely to ignore stress or treat a symptom
of stress than fix the problem. Healthcare providers
can reduce stress-related health issues by opening the
lines of communication. Currently, 37 percent of women
have taken the step of discussing the negative impact of
stress on their health with their doctor, while many more
(56 percent) said they would be interested in receiving
tips from their healthcare provider on how to manage
stress.
Knowing that women report higher stress levels, it is vital
that women understand the proper techniques to manage
their stress. According to A Stressed Nation, 36 percent
of women across the nation reported they currently feel
somewhat or very stressed. Too often, women turn to
unhealthy foods and sedentary activities to briefly escape
the pressures of stress, including eating chocolate and
using entertainment as a means of escape. But dealing
with stress in a more positive way can benefit women in
multiple ways. For example, going on a walk or taking a
step out of a stressful room can ease a person’s mind
quickly and lower stress levels.
In fact, healthcare professionals have stress relief plans
that can help. More than half of Americans said their
doctor suggested exercise as a way to control their stress
level. Exercise is healthy for the body, as it releases
positive endorphins. The key is for more providers
to leverage high-tech communications to reach more
patients throughout the year, between visits, to provide
encouragement and reminders regarding following
through with treatment plans. This provider-patient
interaction can lead to a healthier America, if patients are
given the support and tools necessary to successfully
manage stress.
49% Women who say their stress has increased in the last five years
60%
55%
Women who feel daily stress
Women who say they would be more likely to ignore stress or treat a symptom of stress than fix the problem
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance 15
The Midwest
Somewhere in the middle of America, Midwesterners are finding themselves caught in a web of stress.
The region reports the highest stress levels on a daily basis out of any in the nation. But what is causing
this stress? Midwesterners live a modest lifestyle. The Midwest is, and has always been, a predominantly
blue-collar, working-class region. One of your neighbors may run a fifth-generation family business, while
another has an alpaca farm in the backyard. Another, still, may be an executive at a Fortune 500 company.
The Midwest is also known as a great place for raising
families and growing old. According to Forbes, four of
the top ten cities to raise a family in are in the Midwest.
With the variety of career paths and lifestyles of
Midwesterners, it is no surprise that the region reported
the biggest variety in the effects of stress. The American
Psychology Association found that the Midwesterners
report the highest numbers in the nation with regard to
the following side effects of stress:
� Irritability (49 percent)
� Nervousness (47 percent)
� Lack of interest, motivation and energy
(46 percent)
� Depression (44 percent)
� Feeling as though they could cry
(41 percent)
Determining the best ways to manage this negative stress
should be a key concern for residents in the Midwest—
and, so far, they haven’t had much success. As A
Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance
reported, Midwesterners make up the lowest percentage
of Americans that would be interested in and/or happy
to receive communications from their doctor with tips on
how to manage stress. Oddly enough, the Midwest led all
regions with 40 percent of the region already taking the
step of discussing the impacts of stress on their health
with their doctor.
Healthcare providers across the Midwest can help to
communicate positive ways to manage stress, since it
can have many negative effects on health. As reported
by A Stressed Nation, Midwesterners led the nation
71% Midwesterners who report stress during a typical workday
59% Midwesterners who report being stressed during everyday life
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance16
with 61 percent of the region saying that stress has
negatively impacted their overall health. Stress can bring
on a variety of feelings and emotions, both positive
and negative. WebMD reports that stress is the body’s
reaction to any change that requires a response and can
have physical, mental, and emotional responses.
The bottom line is that Midwesterners need to
communicate with healthcare providers more in order
to ensure stress doesn’t negatively impact their health.
According to A Stressed Nation, the Midwest led all
regions in terms of reporting stress during a typical
workday (71 percent.) In addition, the region edged out
the Northeast by one percent, with 59 percent of the
region reporting being stressed during everyday life.
When acute stress—which is a normal, healthy stress and
can have positive motivational benefits—isn’t managed
efficiently, it can turn into something that is much more
serious and becomes a daily problem.
With the variety of career paths and lifestyles of Midwesterners, it is no surprise that the region reported the biggest variety in the effects of stress.
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance 17
The Northeast
According to Travel and Leisure, five of the top 20 fittest cities in America are located in the Northeast.
Thanks to the surplus of outdoor activities in the region, many Northeasterners are thought of as being
in great physical condition. With healthcare providers suggesting exercise as one of the best ways to
manage stress, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Northeasterners reported being less stressed than
other regions.
According to A Stressed Nation: Americans Search
for a Healthy Balance, Northeasterners reported the
lowest percentage of Americans that said their doctor
suggested exercise as a way to control their stress
level. With the already high activity levels in the region,
however, this isn’t alarming. Additionally, 62 percent of
Northeasterners said they would be interested in and/or
happy to receive communications from their doctor with
tips on how to manage stress.
Unfortunately, not all parts of the Northeast reported sunny
days and smooth sailing. The region is also a business
hub, full of hard-working men and women who spend
many hours at their jobs. As reported by A Stressed
Nation, more than half of Northeasterners (58 percent)
reported feeling stressed during a typical workday. The
American Heart Association lists four ways to positively
deal with stress. Each of these can be done easily:
� Positive self-talk. This helps you calm
down and control stress, while negative self-
talk (including using “can’t” and “hate” in
sentences) just increases stress. Practicing
positive self-talk every day when noticing
negative thoughts can make it easier.
� Emergency Stress Stoppers. These
stress stoppers can be altered based on the
situation. Examples of emergency stress
stoppers include counting to ten, taking
three to five deep breaths, and not being
afraid to say “I’m sorry.”
58%
54%
Northeasterners who report stress during a typical workday
Northeasterners who say they would be more likely to ignore stress or treat a symptom of stress than fix the overall problem
62%
Northeasterners who say they would be interested in and/or happy to receive communications from their doctor with tips on how to manage stress
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance18
� Finding Pleasure. You don’t have to
go above and beyond to find pleasure in a
situation. In fact, trying to do at least one
activity that you enjoy daily—going for a
drive, listening to music, or reading a good
book—can boost your overall mood and
help reduce stress.
� Daily Relaxation. Popular forms
of relaxation include yoga, tai chi and
meditation, but taking time to watch your
favorite TV show or closing your eyes to
picture a relaxing place before a stressful
meeting can work just as well.
When work or responsibilities take over in everyday
life, many stressors are going to be difficult to avoid.
The Northeast led all regions in A Stressed Nation, with
54 percent of the region saying they would be more likely
to ignore stress or treat a symptom of stress than fix the
overall problem. However, managing stress doesn’t have
to involve reinventing the wheel. There are many proven
stress management techniques and understanding how
to effectively put them into place is key.
Talking with healthcare providers is a great way to learn
about these techniques. Healthcare providers across
the nation can also turn to technology to communicate
these management techniques. Keeping the lines of
communication open between patients and healthcare
providers continuously between visits can help
Northeasterners manage stress and live a healthier life.
Keeping the lines of communication open between patients and healthcare providers continuously between visits can help Northeasterners manage stress and live a healthier life.
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance 19
The West
Much like the Northeast, the stress levels of the West can easily be described in two distinct ways: there
is the laid back, stress-free surfing crowd, juxtaposed with the career-driven work force. And then there
are those in between, who have characteristics of both sides. Finding a middle ground between both of
these lifestyles can create stress in and of itself.
However, many Westerners do feel they are managing
their stress levels successfully, and that stress isn’t
negatively affecting their overall health. In fact, the
American Psychological Association reports that
75 percent of the Westerners say they are satisfied with
their health – more than any other region. By finding
ways to manage stress—including talking with healthcare
providers and maintaining a healthy diet and regular
exercise—Westerners can keep their stress levels low and
their bodies healthy.
Diet and exercise both play into creating and maintaining
a healthy lifestyle. Putting the right foods into your
body and finding time to exercise can also help to lower
negative stress. As reported by A Stressed Nation:
Americans Search for a Healthy Balance, Westerners
reported the lowest percentage (49 percent) that said
stress has had a negative impact on their overall health.
This means Westerners are doing something right.
According to the APA, 24 percent of adults in the West
engage in strenuous physical activity at least once a day,
significantly more than any other region.
Talking with healthcare providers, however, remains one
area Westerners need to improve on. Just 30 percent
of Westerners have taken the step of discussing the
negative impact of stress on their health with their doctor,
while just 57 percent of the region (also the lowest of
the four regions) said they would be interested in and/
or happy to receive communications from their doctor
with tips on how to manage stress. The region wants to
do things its own way, but this approach isn’t working
for those who said that stress is negatively impacting
their health. Rather, listening to the advice of healthcare
providers would be a much better option.
But what does the region need in order to effectively
manage its stress? According to A Stressed Nation,
35 percent of Westerners reported they feel somewhat
or very stressed at the current moment. This can result
75% Westerners who say they are satisfied with their health
24%Adults in the West who engage in strenuous physical activity at least once a day
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance20
in negative health effects in the form of irritability,
headaches, depression or a change in sex drive. More
than half of Westerners, 53 percent, reported being
stressed during everyday life, yet 47 percent said they
would be more likely to ignore stress or treat a symptom
than manage the problem.
The good thing for the West region is that there is a whole
host of ways to manage stress. A good first step is talking
with a healthcare provider. Healthcare providers can
provide a range of personalized tips on how to manage
stress, ranging from meditation to exercise. All of these
options can help Westerners manage their stress before it
reaches an unhealthy level.
Westerners reported the lowest percentage (49 percent) that said stress has had a negative impact on their overall health. This means Westerners are doing something right.
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance 21
The South
The South is a region where Americans make their living using the resources around them. Think of the
Deep South, and there are fisherman casting their nets, hoping to bring in enough of a catch to provide
for their families. Move a little north and oil fields litter the red-dirt of Texas. Throughout the region, stress
can be caused in a variety of ways, during a variety of seasons and activities.
No matter what situation Southerners find themselves
in, however, it is hard to find someone that isn’t affected
by stress. According to the American Psychological
Association, many Southerners believe that stress has
a strong or very strong impact on a person’s health
(89 percent). Additionally, as reported by A Stressed
Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance,
Southerners are tied with the West for second (behind the
Midwest), with 43 percent of Southerners wanting to lean
how stress affects other aspects of their life in order to
better manage their overall health and lifestyle.
A great way to do this is to talk with healthcare
providers. According to A Stressed Nation, Southerners
led all regions, with 63 percent of the region interested
in and/or happy to receive communications from their
doctor with tips on how to manage stress. Unfortunately,
just 34 percent of Southerners have taken the step of
discussing the negative impact of stress on their health
with their doctor.
But taking this step has to be a priority—especially
when you consider that A Stressed Nation reported that
67 percent of Southerners said they felt stressed during
a typical workday, and 52 percent of the region reported
feeling stressed during everyday life. Work stressors in
this region are easy to carry over to home life, as there
is a large portion of Southerners that overlap the two
with family farms and businesses. Because of this fact,
the APA reported that those living in the South are more
likely than residents of other regions to let their emotions
interfere with daily activities, thus creating more stress.
But the region does understand that managing their
stress can be accomplished with the help of healthcare
providers. The APA noted that Southerners led all regions
with 42 percent reporting that they manage stress by
expressing their feelings, and 58 percent of the region
focuses on positive things when feeling stressed. These
are both things that healthcare providers suggest to be
proven management techniques.
67% Southerners who say they feel stressed during a typical workday
58% Southerners who focus on positive things when feeling stressed
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance22
Additionally, exercising is a key technique that
healthcare providers prescribe to manage stress.
And while 43 percent of Southerners say they are too
tired to exercise, 58 percent of the region reported in
A Stressed Nation that their healthcare professional
suggested exercise as a way to control their stress level.
Communication between office visits—and encouraging
better follow-through—can help patients see the benefits
of these management techniques and a healthier lifestyle.
The APA reported that those living in the South are more likely than residents of other regions to let their emotions interfere with daily activities, thus creating more stress.
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance 23
About Healthy World
A healthy world, while global by definition, actually happens one person at a
time. It is driven by forward-thinking healthcare practitioners who understand
their involvement is critical to ensuring a healthy population.
The Healthy World initiative, launched by TeleVox, aims at helping people —
young and old — be healthy!
Three imperatives for creating a healthy world — one person at a time 1. Touch the hearts and minds of patients to drive positive behavior change.
2. Engage patients with information and encouragement between visits.
3. Activate patients to make positive behavior changes for a healthier life.
The driving force behind the goal of creating a healthy world are the healthcare
professionals who take the time to engage patients with personalized, thoughtful,
ongoing communications that encourage and inspire them to embrace and follow
ongoing treatment plans.
They know every communication with a patient — including those that take place
between office visits — is an opportunity to help that person understand the
importance of good habits like nutrition, physical activity, taking their medications as
prescribed and following new treatment recommendations. Engaging patients and
their families between visits through proactive, relevant communications helps them to
wake up and stay focused on positive behavior changes is the way to create a healthy
world — one patient at a time.
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance24
About TeleVox TeleVox is a high-tech Engagement Communications company, providing
automated voice, email, text and web solutions that activate positive patient
behaviors through the delivery of technology with a human touch.
Since 1992, TeleVox has been creating a comprehensive approach that breaks
through and motivates people to live healthy lives. At TeleVox, we understand that
touching the hearts and minds of patients by engaging with them between healthcare
appointments will encourage and inspire them to follow and embrace treatment plans.
We know personalized, ongoing patient engagement will activate positive lifestyle
changes. TeleVox helps healthcare professionals touch, engage and activate every
unique patient to lead healthy lives.
TeleVox. High-tech, human touch to create a healthy world — one patient at a time.
A Stressed Nation: Americans Search for a Healthy Balance 25
1110 Montlimar Dr, Suite 700 • Mobile, AL 36609 • 800.644.4266 • F 251.633.2420 • televox.com
Our Healthy World Initiative utilizes ethnographic research to uncover,
understand and interpret the patient point-of-view when it comes to managing
their health. We focus on studying how people interact with healthcare
providers and how they behave between doctor visits. As part of this program,
TeleVox delivers research reports that provide healthcare professionals with
timely insight for helping patients make healthy changes in their lives, follow
treatment plans, and take accountability for improving their personal health.