This is the No. 1 cause of stress among Americans

Stress has become a common part of life for people around the globe. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience to some, stress could actually lead to more complicated health issues. To help relieve stress, the best course of action is finding out what is causing it first. For Americans, money is the primary source of their woes.

A recent survey by Northwestern Mutual says that money is the dominant source of stress for Americans, with 44 percent of the respondents picking the option. This is followed by personal relationships and work with 25 percent and 18 percent, respectively. Even a study from the American Psychological Association points to money as the top stressor regardless of the economic climate. It has been at the top since the association began the survey in 2007.

With the rising cost of goods, real estate and educational debt, it should come as no surprise that money has become the primary source of stress for Americans. As economic conditions continue to worsen, money will likely stay at the top considering the current and next generation of workers are struggling to pay off their student loans.

This money problem also discourages people from making hospital visits as they would rather spend their remaining funds elsewhere. This is a bad combination with stress. Stress is the body’s harmful reaction to an assortment of factors including fatigue, emergencies, accidents and more. Once the body undergoes heavy stress, various other conditions could go into effect.

The rising costs of goods, real estate, and educational debt is now a primary source of stress for many Americans. (Source)

Understanding stress

Long-term stress could result in mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and other personality disorders. People who are stressed also tend to get agitated more quickly than others. Some people consciously or subconsciously fight off stress with heavy eating and this could also cause the person to become overweight or obese.

Stress can also cause various physical health problems. The most common of which are cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks and strokes. Skin and hair problems such as acne, psoriasis and eczema are common as well. For women, stress could lead to menstrual problems.

People cope with stress differently. There are those that relieve themselves of it by reading or by listening to music. Others would prefer standing away from their desk to take a minute or two off of work. Regardless of what our stress-reliever is, it is important to relax a little each day. Stressing out over money or other matters could eventually result in health issues that are more costly.

Stress is fairly common among the workforce not only in the U.S. but across the world in general. One of the best ways to fend off stress is by finding what helps us relax. Money is undeniably at the center of our daily lives so it is hard to avoid this main stressor. As such, we must learn to unwind and relax every once in a while.