From longer work hours to increased demands at home, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed Americans to new levels of stress in almost every aspect of their lives. And now after two years of COVID-related health worries, Americans are faced with financial concerns as high inflation leads to a cost of living crisis for many.
MyBioSource.com, a biotechnical products distribution company, conducted a study of physical and mental distress data from County Health Rankings over the last 5 years (from 2017 to 2021) in counties across Florida.
The county with the highest ‘stressflation’ over the last 5 years was found to be Bradford County, with an 11% increase. More specifically, citizens here had a 5% increase in physical stress, as well as 6% increase in mental stress.
Pembroke Pines (in Broward County) has a stressflation rate of 3% – among the lowest rates in The Sunshine State.
The place with the lowest stressflation, and comparatively Zen-like citizens, was Miami-Dade County (1%), which had a 1% increase in the rate of mental stress, however, a 0% change in physical stress.
MyBioSource.com also broke down this data at a national/state level, which revealed the state with the highest stress inflation rate over the past 5 years was Maine (6%). On the other end of the ranking, New York had the lowest stress inflation rate in the country – in fact, The Empire State actually experienced a stress deflation rate of 2%!
States with the highest stress inflation rates in the country:
1) Maine: 6% stress inflation.
2) North Dakota: 5% stress inflation.
3) Ohio: 5% stress inflation.
4) Kansas: 4% stress inflation.
5) Michigan: 4% stress inflation.
States with the lowest stress
inflation rates in the country:
50) New York: 2% stress deflation.
49) Wyoming: 1% stress deflation.
48) Maryland: 1% stress deflation.
47) Rhode Island: 0% flat.
46) North Carolina: 0% flat.
“Many people have become familiar with the feeling of being stressed, which is understandable given the pandemic-related events of the past few years,” said MyBioSource.com, “Chronic stress can have serious negative impacts on the body – both physically and mentally – and allowing it to build up may result in further detriment to your health over time. If you are unable to reduce your stress levels through relaxation techniques or exercise, please see a health professional.”