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Feeling a bit anxious these days? You're definitely not the only one.
Dr. Emily Hemendinger, who works in the department of psychiatry at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, has noticed a shift in people's emotional wellbeing. "People are definitely more on edge these days," she said.
Let's dive deeper into what's causing this surge in anxiety. Stressors can come from various corners of our lives, but some common contributors include economic hardships and financial instability. In fact, a staggering 63% of Americans find money and the economy to be their primary day-to-day stressors. These anxieties are fueled by issues like inflation, job market volatility, and the housing affordability crisis.
On a global scale, worries about political and social upheaval are adding to the emotional turbulence. The proliferation of grim news consumption (looking at you, doomscrollers) doesn't help either. This constant exposure to distressing events—be it wars, climate disasters, or polarizing debates—leaves many feeling helpless and more anxious.
Another significant concern for our mental health is climate change. Known as 'climate anxiety,' it has become a growing issue, particularly among the younger generations, with 60% of people aged 16-25 reporting severe worries about the environment. The tangible effects of global warming, like extreme weather events, only add to the stress.
It's worth noting that we're seeing a record high of 23% of the global population likely to experience clinical anxiety, with 47% reporting symptoms of depression. These numbers underscore the increasing self-reported mental health issues, now affecting 32% of people worldwide.
Lastly, constant connectivity and always-on news cycles might be normalizing exposure to distressing content, creating a vicious cycle of worry and hypervigilance. It's clear that these factors—economic hardships, political instability, climate change, and technological overload—combine to push global anxiety rates higher than ever before.
Certainly, Dr. Emily Hemendinger from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, who specializes in psychiatry, has observed an increase in people's anxiety levels, which she attributes to various factors. Outside of personal financial issues, global political and social upheaval, worsened by constant news consumption, also contribute to this emotional turmoil.
Moreover, in the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, climate change is a growing concern, particularly among younger generations, with climate anxiety becoming increasingly prevalent. With the rise in clinical anxiety and depression worldwide, it's essential to address these mental health challenges more explicitly.
Furthermore, the constant connectivity and news cycles might be normalizing exposure to distressing content, creating a vicious cycle of worry and hypervigilance. This cycle, combined with economic hardships, political instability, climate change, and technological overload, pushes global anxiety rates to an all-time high. Therefore, it's crucial to promote wellness practices and seek professional help when necessary to maintain a balanced and less anxious state of mind.
