America has gone through difficult times in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic, political polarization, racial tensions, and economic uncertainty have all contributed to increased stress levels across the country. Some states have been impacted more than others. But which state is the most stressed?
How is stress measured?
Determining the most stressed state is not straightforward. Stress is a subjective feeling and difficult to measure objectively. However, there are some key indicators that researchers use to estimate and compare stress levels between different states:
- Mental health statistics like depression and anxiety rates
- Physical health indicators like hypertension and cardiovascular disease
- Prevalence of stress-related behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking, and drug abuse
- Access to mental health resources and therapies
- Economic factors like poverty rates, employment levels, and foreclosure rates
- Divorce rates and frequency of adverse childhood experiences
- Sleep statistics and restlessness indicators
By analyzing a combination of these types of data, patterns emerge that allow ranking states by estimated overall stress level.
Most Stressed States in 2022
According to recent 2022 studies and surveys by organizations like WalletHub, EverydayHealth, and Mind Diagnostics, these states appear to be experiencing the highest levels of stress:
- Louisiana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- West Virginia
- Mississippi
- Arkansas
- Alabama
- Oklahoma
- Tennessee
- Texas
Common themes among these high-stress states include below-average economic opportunities, limited access to mental health services, and high rates of adverse health behaviors. Specific factors contributing to stress in each state are explored in more detail in the following sections.
1. Louisiana
Louisiana ranks as the most stressed state overall. Some of the factors contributing to Louisiana’s high stress levels include:
- 2nd highest poverty rate in the U.S. at 19.6%
- 2nd highest homicide rate
- High rates of infant mortality and cardiovascular deaths
- Lowest availability of mental health providers
- High rates of smoking (21.9%) and drinking (16.8%)
The economic uncertainty, risk of violence, prevalence of adverse health outcomes, and lack of access to care all pile on pressure that contributes to Louisiana frequently topping the lists as the most stressed state.
2. Nevada
Nevada has the 2nd highest suicide rate in the nation, with 20.9 suicides per 100k residents each year. Only Wyoming has a higher suicide rate. Nevada also ranks:
- 4th for divorce rate
- 4th for violent crime rate
- 2nd for gambling disorders
- 45th for mental health resources
The combination of risk factors and lack of protective resources places Nevada high on measures of stress.
3. New Mexico
New Mexico has high rates of substance abuse, poverty, and mental distress compared to other states:
- 3rd highest drug overdose death rate
- 4th highest poverty rate at 18.2%
- 47th in access to mental health services
- 3rd highest suicide rate among Native Americans
These statistics point to an environment making it difficult for many New Mexico residents to cope with life’s daily stressors.
4. West Virginia
West Virginia is the only state entirely in Appalachia, a region plagued by economic depression. Markers of financial uncertainty and despair include:
- 2nd lowest median household income
- 2nd highest home foreclosure rate
- Highest unemployment rate
- Highest opioid overdose death rate
The ongoing economic challenges appear connected to the high levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies experienced in West Virginia.
5. Mississippi
Mississippi shows high levels of health problems linked to stress, including:
- Highest rate of cardiovascular deaths
- Highest rate of infant mortality
- 3rd highest diabetes rate
- 4th highest obesity rate
The prevalence of these stress-related illnesses, combined with low median incomes, contribute to Mississippi’s place among the top 10 most stressed states.
6. Arkansas
Arkansas struggles with low rankings in several categories that signal economic strain:
- 6th highest poverty rate
- 3rd highest home foreclosure rate
- 6th highest unemployment
These money pressures are likely drivers of Arkansas’ above-average rates of smoking, drinking, and mental distress.
7. Alabama
Alabama displays high rates of health conditions linked to stress, including:
- 4th highest rate of cardiovascular deaths
- 7th highest diabetes rate
- 3rd highest obesity rate
Alabama also has limited access to mental health services, especially in rural areas, making it more difficult to cope with stress.
8. Oklahoma
Factors contributing to Oklahoma’s top 10 most stressed ranking include:
- 5th highest poverty rate
- 5th highest rate of adverse childhood experiences
- 4th highest rate of physical child abuse
- 7th highest rate of incarceration
The lasting effects of childhood trauma along with economic uncertainty appear to feed high stress levels in the state.
9. Tennessee
Tennessee displays elevated rates of unemployment, smoking, obesity, and mental distress compared to national averages. Specific concerning statistics include:
- 8th highest unemployment rate
- 8th highest smoking rate
- 10th highest obesity rate
- 8th highest rate of frequent mental distress
The economic conditions, risky health behaviors, and mental health challenges in Tennessee all contribute to its place among the top 10 most stressed states.
10. Texas
Factors affecting Texas’ high stress rank include:
- 24.4% uninsured – highest uninsured rate
- 2nd highest percentage of minimum wage workers
- 11th highest poverty rate
- 4th highest property crime rate
The large number of Texans vulnerable economically and uninsured places extra burdens on individuals that can quickly turn into stress.
Common Sources of Stress
Analyzing the highest stressed states reveals some shared themes that help explain the high stress levels in these areas:
Economic Uncertainty
Many high-stressed states have low median incomes, high poverty rates, high unemployment, high foreclosure rates, and large shares of residents without health insurance. Financial stability provides a sense of control. Prolonged economic uncertainty removes that control and breeds stress.
Health Risk Factors
States seeing more chronic health conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease also experience high stress. Stress can exacerbate health issues, and poor health makes managing stress harder. These risk factors tend to cluster geographically.
Addiction and Substance Abuse
Where rates of alcohol abuse, drug overdoses, and smoking are high, stress also runs high. These behaviors may sometimes serve as unhealthy coping mechanisms. Addressing mental health issues is important to breaking these cycles.
Violent Crime
Living with the risk of violence adds chronic stress. High homicide rates correlate to high stress populations. Reducing crime rates requires addressing root causes like poverty.
Childhood Trauma
Locations with more reports of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction have higher stress rates later in life. Early intervention to reduce ACEs can lead to less stress long-term.
Mental Health Resources
Access to mental health services allows for healthier coping mechanisms. Low provider availability limits options for managing stress, compounding the problem. Improving access should be a priority.
Stress Management Strategies
While some sources of stress like economic conditions are large in scale, individuals can still take steps to reduce their personal stress levels:
Build Resilience
Resilience means adapting well to adversity. Things like fostering social connections, practicing optimism, taking care of your body, finding purpose, and seeing challenges as opportunities to grow can strengthen your ability to handle stress.
Reduce Causes of Stress
Look at your unique stress triggers. Things like financial issues, health problems, work overload, relationship conflicts, or communication issues can often be actively addressed to reduce stress. Make a plan to manage these key causes.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
Try evidence-based relaxation methods like deep breathing, meditation, yoga, tai chi, or progressive muscle relaxation. Schedule time to decompress and give your mind and body a break.
Improve Time Management
Take control of your schedule. Block out time for self-care. Prioritize and delegate tasks. Say no to extra demands when needed. Work-life balance reduces burnout.
Reflect on Perspective
How you think about stress makes a difference. Look for the positive even in difficult times. Accept that you cannot control everything. Appreciate the present moment. Cultivate optimism.
Connect with Others
Don’t isolate when stressed. Spend time with supportive loved ones. Join groups to connect with others facing similar challenges. Assisting others can also boost your outlook and resilience.
Seek Professional Help
For severe stress, seek guidance from a psychologist, counselor, or other mental health expert. They can teach healthy coping strategies tailored to your situation. Many offer remote options.
The Future of Stress in America
While long-term predictions are difficult, some potential stress-related trends in the years ahead include:
- Economic inequality continuing to strain lower-income households
- Political polarization remaining elevated
- Healthcare costs climbing faster than incomes
- The pandemic’s mental health fallout lingering
- Climate change events increasing stress and trauma
- Loneliness expanding along with remote work
- Financial volatility rising with AI and automation
On the hopeful side:
- Mental health awareness and treatment options could expand
- Preventative care may continue improving physical health
- Remote work and telehealth can increase access to services
- The next generation may lead a minimalism/simplicity movement
- Paid vacation time and parental leave may increase
- Mindfulness practices could gain wider adoption
Individuals and policymakers will need to take action to mitigate sources of stress while cultivating resilience. With wise interventions, America may become less stressed in the years ahead.
Conclusion
Determining the most stressed state depends on looking at a variety of health, economic, safety, childhood, and mental health indicators on a region-by-region basis. By these metrics, Louisiana currently shoulders the most significant stress burdens. However, at least 9 other states, primarily concentrated across the South, share concerning levels of stress and related outcomes. Addressing underlying causes like economic uncertainty, violence, chronic disease, trauma, and lack of access to care remains crucial for creating a less stressed America. While large-scale changes depend on policy, individuals can also apply stress management techniques in their daily lives to achieve peace of mind even in difficult circumstances. With diligence and compassion, a future with lower stress levels remains possible.
