Work-related stresses? Check. Sleepless hours at night spent thinking about family responsibilities? Check. Money worries? Check — underscored and in bold.
Americans worry about a great deal of things, which is understandable, given the nightly parading across the television screen of stories relating to terrorism, geo-political conflict, climactic change, legislative malaise on Capitol Hill and so forth.
All those worries reportedly pale in comparison, though, with what does top the charts, namely this: By a wide margin, people across the country apparently toss and turn at night owing to predominantly one concern, and that is money.
As to what they worry about that relates to their personal wealth, well, that is virtually everything. Keeping abreast on the mortgage is a concern. Paying for groceries is another. Saving for retirement, having sufficient money on hand to pay for an unexpected expense, being able to see a doctor when illness strikes, all these things and more reportedly induce high stress levels among Americans.
To be specific, many Americans. A recent study authored by the American Psychological Association reveals that a stunningly high percentage of people across the country admit to deep concerns regarding money and debt problems. Nearly nine of every 10 respondents to a survey administered by the APA stated that they are just as stressed — if not more so — about money now than they were a year ago. An article discussing the study notes that more than one-quarter of all respondents admitted to being stressed out over money “most or all of the time.”
“[W]e are living with a level of stress that we consider too high,” says a ranking APA executive.
Hopefully economic growth — sustainable and equitably apportioned — will help reduce that collective angst as the United States continues to forge ahead in the aftermath of recent recessionary times.
Source: CNN Money, “Money issues are still really stressing Americans out,” Melanie Hicken, Feb. 4, 2015