Recent online trends suggest that Americans are more stressed out than ever before. According to data gathered from Google searches, Americans have recently developed a fascination with Cortisol – a hormone produced by your two adrenal glands on top of the kidneys.
The fascination with cortisol has all to do with its relationship with stress. When someone is stressed, increased cortisol is released into the bloodstream which can have serious health consequences.
In recent months, Americans have become more conscious of cortisol, evidenced by the search patterns. “How to lower cortisol” is being searched for more than ever before in America while interest in “cortisol cocktails” is also spiking.
Over the past three months, Americans have been searching for “stress relief gifts” three times more than they were doing over the previous three months. What’s causing this apparent sudden bout of stress across the US? Is it just an intense post-Christmas slump or something more?
What could be causing the stress?
At the end of 2024, the US presidential election will take place and this one feels bigger than most. Donald Trump is vying to become president again which has effectively split the country in two while there are also concerns about Joe Biden’s suitability for the role.
Presidential years can always be stressful, particularly for those people who suffer the consequences of government decisions more than others, such as minority groups and those in poverty.
In addition to the looming election, the state of world peace has arguably never been more fragile in over 50 years. Russia continues to invade Ukraine while the conflict between Israel and Palestine shows no sign of letting up.
Considering the US is one of the world’s biggest superpowers, some people may believe that it is inevitable that the nation will have to step in at some point. Could this be causing rising levels of stress among Americans?
How to reduce stress
Regardless of what’s causing your stress, it’s important to try and bring your stress levels down for health and well-being. Here are five quick tips to reduce stress:
- Eat healthily: There is growing evidence that food affects our mood. Ensuring we are eating the right vitamins and nutrients can improve our mood while eating junk food regularly can damage it.
- Ensure you are getting enough sleep: It is understated how important sleep is for improving mood. While stress can cause poor sleep patterns, it’s important to try and work on getting enough rest to ensure you feel recharged and re-energized each morning.
- Exercise: Regardless of whether you are able to run a marathon each day or simply get outside for a 30-minute walk, exercise and fresh air can be amazing for relieving stress. The endorphins released from exercising help massively to combat stress.
- Meditate: The idea of meditating may be a no-go for some people but how do you know it won’t benefit you if you don’t try it? For those who do practice meditation and mindfulness, they say that it helps to release that feeling of weight from your shoulders.
- Take a break: It’s important not to be too hard on yourself, even if you are having a tough time. Take some time for yourself and keep everything in perspective.
More Great Articles:
- 15 Crucial Mistakes People Make Before Entering Retirement
- 15 Common Behaviors That Show Someone’s True Colors
Victoria Cornell helps women adopt a positive mindset even when the struggles of motherhood feel overwhelming. Victoria writes for multiple media outlets where she writes about, saving money, retirement, ways to reduce stress with mindset, manifesting, goal planning, productivity, and more.
