Chicagoans: Still Stressed
By Amy Perry in News on Nov 4, 2009 8:20PM
According to the American Psychological Association's Stress in America survey, Chicagoans are stressed about work and job stability this year. More than 60 percent of residents report money, work and the economy as significant sources of stress. The study also cited that more than half of Chicagoans have been told by a health care provider that they have a chronic condition.
Sound familiar? It should: we've heard this all before here, here, and here But this new study brings a sliver lining: we seem to be coping with the stress better than before. Fewer Chicagoans reported that their stress levels increased over the past year (41 percent in 2009 vs. 50 percent in 2008) and fewer residents reported symptoms commonly associated with stress such as fatigue, irritability or anger, headaches and upset stomachs. In addition, more residents reported managing their stress by walking, exercising and reading. In addition, fewer residents reported drinking alcohol or smoking to relieve stress [Ed's note: Sadly, this trend doesn't apply to the Chicagoist staff. -M.G.]