The world is more stressed out than ever. Gallup's 2020/21 study in 122 countries shows that four out of every ten poll respondents reported feeling stressed, depressed, angry, or worried. The COVID-19 epidemic has profoundly influenced global well-being, adding to existing political, economic, and cultural stressors.

Depending on where you live, stress can manifest in a variety of ways, from experiencing feelings of anxiety and having difficulty obtaining assistance for mental health issues to being exposed to the risk of natural catastrophes or the prospect of armed conflict.

If we don't take steps to address stress and anxiety, the constant flood of information, along with these external challenges, can have a negative influence on our health and well-being.

What Impact Does Today's Life Have on Us?

Even while stress and anxiety are the body's normal responses to a perceived threat, persistent stress, and excessive concern can cause physical and mental disease and interfere with your everyday life. Ongoing stress can put a strain on your relationships, spiral into burnout, and cause various other mental health concerns.

Counseling can provide a safe environment to understand your triggers and manage anxiety symptoms. Your counselor can help you overcome the crisis brought on by external pressures, develop healthier coping strategies, and sustain positive changes made in therapy over the long-term.

But what external factors might threaten our mental health and well-being?

Social Media

In recent years, social media platforms have become dominant hubs for business, politics, and lifestyle. While social media gives us the impression that we are connected with many people, it actually makes us feel lonelier than ever. Lack of meaningful connections with other people can lead to anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, and feelings of profound loneliness and isolation.

Social media platforms encourage us to compare our lives to those of others. This continual comparison can result in inadequacy, low self-esteem, and concern over falling short of others' perceived successful and happy lives. Stress and anxiety can rise as a result of the constant need for approval, involvement in contentious political debates, or FOMO brought on by social media.

Technology and Media Overload

While technology has improved our lives in many ways, it has also given us too much information and made it difficult to keep up with current trends. Non-stop connectivity can make you feel overwhelmed and unable to disconnect.

The 24/7 media coverage of political events, natural disasters, and economic downturns can intensify tension and anxiety, making it difficult to disengage and take a break.

Political Uncertainty

Politics is typically characterized by unpredictability and uncertainty about your civil rights and freedoms. Furthermore, we live in a connected world where international politics, social injustices, and tensions between countries can impact us individually, creating concerns about global safety and stability. Also, not being able to predict how specific policy changes or changes in leadership will influence your life can exacerbate stress and anxiety.

Work-Life Imbalance

The requirements of the modern economy often require workers to work longer hours, increase productivity, and switch positions. This can create a work-life imbalance, leading to work-related stress, burnout, and other mental health issues.

Financial and Job Insecurity

No one can guarantee job security in today's constantly changing job market. A weakening economy, the loss of a job, or personal financial difficulties can trigger anxiety over your financial future.

Anxiety can be caused by the fear of losing a job and financial stability or being out of work for a long time. You might worry that your lifestyle and social status could worsen. Furthermore, fear of the loss of social interactions associated with unemployment might cause feelings of isolation and loneliness, aggravating your anxiety.

Financial strain is overwhelming for many people as they balance rising living costs, paying off debts, and saving for the future. This can be a significant source of anxiety.

Healthcare Concerns

Health-related concerns like the ongoing epidemic may be highly stressful for individuals. Mental health professionals are warning that the United States is experiencing a mental health crisis among children and adults, which has worsened since the emergence of COVID-19.

The stigma associated with mental illness, a shortage of mental health experts, long waiting lists, insurance issues, and limited access to culturally competent counselors make mental health care difficult for millions of individuals who require it.

Families with children who have mental health difficulties, for example, typically have to wait several months for mental health care. A long waiting period may affect a child's health and cause problems for the entire family, causing stress and worry.

Environmental Concerns

The effects of global environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and deforestation can leave you feeling powerless and anxious since you may believe that your actions will not even come close to impacting these global environmental problems.

In addition, constant media coverage and exposure to unsettling news about natural disasters and environmental crises can lead to feelings of overwhelm, despair, and concern about the future.      

Also, anxiety and stress can be exacerbated by fears of resource shortages, harsh weather occurrences, and interruptions to normal life due to environmental issues.

There is even a new phrase, "eco-anxiety," to describe anxiety caused by environmental issues and their effects on future generations as well as one's own.

Natural Catastrophes

Because of their sudden and uncontrollable nature, hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and other natural disasters commonly cause stress and anxiety in most people. In addition to imminent danger, you may worry about losing your loved ones, home, and possessions and disrupting normalcy. Such extreme stress may cause anxiety, sadness, PTSD, and other psychological and physiological responses to traumatic events.

The uncertainty around possible future catastrophes can lead to chronic stress and worry, affecting your mental health and well-being.