Health Archives - The American Institute of Stress https://www.stress.org/category/health/ Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:34:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 Yes, Your Stress Is Contagious https://www.stress.org/news/yes-your-stress-is-contagious/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=yes-your-stress-is-contagious Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:34:59 +0000 https://www.stress.org/?post_type=news&p=112214 Research supports that one person’s stress can directly impact another’s health.
Key points
  • Research suggests that stress not only affects you but can negatively impact those around you as well.
  • The Dyadic Biobehavioral Stress Model can help us better understand how stress impacts both partners.
  • Stress can have an impact on both partners’ endocrine, cardiovascular, and immune functioning.

 

Stress is inevitable. We are bound to encounter various stressors in our lives. This is simply the nature of being human and of living complex, multifaceted lives. We often view stress as affecting only the individual experiencing the specific stressor. But recent research shows that one individual’s stress or behavioral response to stressors can have a direct impact on their close loved ones, particularly their marital or romantic partner. It makes sense in simplistic terms: Stress affects mood, behavior, and thinking, so it stands to reason that one person’s stress responses can have an impact on another person, particularly when two people are cohabitating or living a shared life. From a psychological perspective, a 2021 Purdue University study (Shrout) reveals that “partners influence their own and each other’s health across several stressful contexts.”

Actor Effects and Partner Effects

Breaking it down further, we can view the person directly experiencing the stress as the “actor” and the other person who is affected by the actor’s stress as the “partner.” Shrout frames this as a “Dyadic Biobehavioral Stress Model.” A dyad, by definition, is something that consists of two elements or parts. In this model, the dyad is between the stressed person (actor) and the person impacted by the other’s stress (partner). Within this dyad, “partners influence how each other see and react emotionally and physiologically to the stressor.” Simplified, if the actor has a negative behavioral stress response, such as anger, withdrawal, or numbing behaviors, there is a direct and noticeable negative impact on the partner. In a practical example, if John experiences work-related stress and responds by sinking into a depressed mood and becoming isolated and ornery, this will impact his wife Joan’s mood and behavior as well.

Biological Impact

If both John (actor) and Joan (partner) are negatively impacted by John’s stress, Shrout posits that significant physical health problems may arise. The endocrine system, which regulates the release of cortisol, the body’s naturally occurring stress hormone, is affected as it responds to the stressful situation by producing even more cortisol. Shrout’s research shows that “at the beginning of the day, cortisol levels were similar regardless of a partner’s stress, but differences emerged after the conflict.” So, if through the course of the day, John’s stress increases, both his and Joan’s cortisol levels begin increasing, resulting in further stress and physiological symptoms, such as increased heart rate, heightened anxiety, and panic-type physical responses.

A 2018 study (Wilson et al.) concluded that actor-partner stress contributes to higher inflammation. Inflammation affects the cardiovascular and immune systems and can have long-term negative effects on physical and emotional health. So, put together, a dyad of stress in a relationship can lead to significant health risks. Another study (Butler and Randall, 2013) concludes that “partners’ physiological stress responses rise and fall together and mutually influence one another over time…A partner can heighten or dampen a person’s own physiological and biological stress response, altering both partners’ health consequences.”

The Dyad in Daily Life

Because our lives will never be immune to stress, being aware of Shrout’s Dyadic Biobehavioral Stress Model can be helpful in keeping both the actor and the partner healthy despite life’s normal stressors, such as career, family, finances, and other widely experienced sources of stress. Recognizing that we alone do not experience stress’s impact on our well-being can help us to understand the larger benefits of responding to stress in a healthy way. In essence, if I want to ensure that not only me, but my entire family, remains as healthy as possible, it is incumbent upon me to remain constantly aware of the stress I am carrying, how I am responding to it, and what I am doing to manage and reduce it using healthy means. Anytime I am able to manage my stress in a healthy and adaptive way, I am benefiting not only my own physical and emotional health but also the health of my close loved ones.

References

M. Rosie Shrout, The health consequences of stress in couples: A review and new integrated Dyadic Biobehavioral Stress Model,
Brain, Behavior, & Immunity – Health, Volume 16, 2021, 100328, 12666-3546, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100328.

S.J. Wilson, B.E. Bailey, W.B. Malarkey, J.K. Kiecolt-Glaser. Linking marital support to aging-related biomarkers: both age and marital quality matter. J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., 76 (2) (2021), pp. 273-282.

S.J. Wilson, B.E. Bailey, L.M. Jaremka, et al. When couples’ hearts beat together: synchrony in heart rate variability during conflict predicts heightened inflammation throughout the day. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 93 (September 2017) (2018), pp. 107-116, 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.04.017

E.A. Butler, A.K. Randall. Emotional coregulation in close relationships. Emot Rev, 5 (2) (2013), pp. 202-210, 10.1177/1754073912451630

By Phil Lane MSW, LCSW

Original Post Psychology Today

Photo by Direct Media on StockSnap

]]> Stress and sleep quality: Do you wake up feeling fresh or groggy? It depends on your gender https://www.stress.org/news/stress-and-sleep-quality-do-you-wake-up-feeling-fresh-or-groggy-it-depends-on-your-gender/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=stress-and-sleep-quality-do-you-wake-up-feeling-fresh-or-groggy-it-depends-on-your-gender Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:02:20 +0000 https://www.stress.org/?post_type=news&p=112068 Sleep affects how you handle stress, and recent research shows this impact differs by gender. While deep sleep can boost resilience in men, it may increase vulnerability in women. Here’s why.

 

Sleep is often said to be the ultimate remedy for physical and mental exhaustion, but what if it’s more than that? Recent research into stress and sleep suggests that the way you sleep might not only affect how you recover from stress, but also how resilient you are to it in the first place.

Surprisingly, this relationship between sleep and stress appears to be different for women and men.
Understanding how we respond to stress is becoming more important than ever. While some people seem to bounce back after stressful experiences, others struggle for much longer. Scientists believe sleep could be one of the reasons.

According to a research published in Neuropsychopharmacology, deep sleep, particularly non-REM (Non rapid eye movement, or NREM) sleep, may actively protect the brain against stress, but the benefits appear to differ between sexes. In the study, male mice with better-quality NREM sleep showed greater resilience, while females who had more NREM sleep after stress were actually more likely to suffer negative effects. These findings suggest that your biology may influence how sleep supports your mental health.

Signs that your sleep may be affecting your stress levels

  • You feel worse after sleeping in: It might sound counterintuitive, but if more sleep leaves you feeling foggy or anxious, it could be a sign your sleep isn’t truly restorative, more so if you’re female. Quality over quantity is key.
  • You struggle to bounce back from challenges: If every stressful event knocks you sideways for days, poor sleep, especially disrupted deep sleep, might be reducing your resilience.
  • You’re more irritable or emotionally sensitive: Lack of NREM sleep has been linked with mood changes. If you find yourself reacting more emotionally than usual, your sleep may be to blame.
  • You wake up frequently during the night: Fragmented sleep, especially during the first half of the night, may prevent your brain from reaching the deep sleep states necessary for emotional recovery.
  • You need naps to get through the day: Feeling the need to nap often could be your body’s way of making up for poor-quality sleep at night, which may in turn affect how you cope with daily stress.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.

By Namita S Kalla is a senior journalist who writes about different aspects of modern life that include lifestyle, health, fashion, beauty, and entertainment.
Image by Moondance from Pixabay
]]> Neurons use built-in ‘backup batteries’ that fuel the brain under stress https://www.stress.org/news/neurons-use-built-in-backup-batteries-that-fuel-the-brain-under-stress/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=neurons-use-built-in-backup-batteries-that-fuel-the-brain-under-stress Mon, 21 Jul 2025 14:38:46 +0000 https://www.stress.org/?post_type=news&p=111931 A new Yale study reveals that neurons store their own sugar reserves that kick in to keep the brain functioning during metabolic stress.

A new Yale study has revealed that neurons — the energy-hungry cells that connect and direct activity in the brain — are equipped with “backup batteries” that kick in to keep the brain running during periods of metabolic stress.

Writing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers describe how neurons store their own glycogen, a form of sugar that helps neurons stay resilient when their main energy sources falter.

The findings illustrate how neuron cells can adapt their metabolism, researchers say, and could shape new treatments for neurological conditions like stroke, neurodegeneration, and epilepsy, all disorders in which energy failure plays a role.

It’s like discovering that your car is a hybrid — it’s not just reliant on gas stations, it’s been carrying an emergency battery the whole time.

Milind Singh

“Traditionally, it was believed that glial cells served as ‘energy warehouses,’ storing glycogen and supplying neurons with fuel as needed,” said co-lead author Milind Singh, a doctoral student in cell biology at the Yale School of Medicine (YSM). “But we now know that neurons themselves store glycogen and can break it down when the pressure is on. It’s like discovering that your car is a hybrid — it’s not just reliant on gas stations, it’s been carrying an emergency battery the whole time.”

For the study, the research team used a microscopic roundworm called Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) — a type of worm commonly used in research — and a genetically encoded fluorescent biosensor called HYlight, which glows in response to changes in glycolysis (the process cells use to break down sugar for energy.)

With custom-built devices, researchers precisely controlled the level of oxygen the living worms experienced and monitored how neurons responded to energy stress in real time.

A breakthrough came when researchers discovered the enzyme PYGL-1, the worm’s version of the human glycogen phosphorylase enzyme that converts glycogen into fuel for neurons. When researchers removed PYGL-1, the worm neurons could no longer ramp up energy during low-oxygen stress conditions; when the enzyme was specifically restored in neurons, that failure was reversed.

“We discovered that neurons use two different strategies to adapt to energy stress: one that’s glycogen-dependent, and one that isn’t,” explained co-lead author Aaron Wolfe, a postdoctoral neuroscience researcher. “The glycogen-dependent pathway is particularly critical when the mitochondria — one of the cell’s primary energy producers — aren’t functioning well. In those situations, glycogen serves as a backup system to provide energy via glycolysis.”

This research reshapes our understanding of brain energy metabolism and opens new avenues for exploring how to protect and support neuronal function in disease.

Daniel Colón-Ramos

The team coined the term “glycogen-dependent glycolytic plasticity” (GDGP) to describe this phenomenon. They found that GDGP is especially important when mitochondrial function is compromised — such as during hypoxia, a condition of limited oxygen supply. Under these conditions, glycogen serves as a low-cost, rapid-access fuel source, helping neurons stay active when other systems might stall. This metabolic adaptability, known as “glycolytic plasticity,” helps neurons maintain their core functions under stress.

“Our work challenges the textbook model of how the brain fuels itself. Neurons are more self-sufficient than we thought,” Singh said.

This research was done in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through a grant that includes reimbursement for facilities and administrative expenses (also known as indirect cost reimbursements) that are necessary to ensure the safe conduct of research and compliance with federal regulations.

In February, the NIH announced it would dramatically cut such reimbursements to universities, including Yale. The courts have blocked the cuts, but the threat remains.

At stake is research that saves lives, strengthens the economy, and bolsters national interests. Yale projects in danger include research that saves infants born with heart defects, extends the lives of cancer patients, addresses mental health challenges, and prevents and slows the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

Co-author Daniel Colón-Ramos, the Dorys McConnell Duberg Professor of Neuroscience and Cell Biology at YSM, said the study supports the notion of glycogen as an “energy capacitor” in neurons.

“Just like in muscles, this reserve can buffer rapid shifts in energy demand,” Colón-Ramos said. “That flexibility might be crucial for how the brain maintains function and responds to stress. This research reshapes our understanding of brain energy metabolism and opens new avenues for exploring how to protect and support neuronal function in disease.”

Other authors, all from Yale, include Sarah Emerson, a postdoctoral researcher in neuroscience; Ian J. Gonzalez, a graduate student in cell biology; Anjali A. Vishwanath and Anastasia Tsives, post-doctoral researchers in neuroscience; and Richard Goodman, a research scientist in neuroscience.

Original Post

Image by Herney Gómez from Pixabay

]]> Can Stress Cause a Stroke? https://www.stress.org/news/can-stress-cause-a-stroke/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=can-stress-cause-a-stroke Wed, 25 Jun 2025 14:20:22 +0000 https://www.stress.org/?post_type=news&p=111669 Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. And while we often hear about risk factors like high blood pressure , elevated cholesterol levels, and smoking, there’s another that often flies under the radar: stress.

“It’s hard to draw a straight line between a stressful event and a stroke,” says Dr. Curtis Benesch, Medical Director of UR Medicine’s Comprehensive Stroke Center since its start in 1996. “But when you look at large populations, there is a clear, statistically significant association between chronic stress and stroke risk.”

Here’s how something as intangible as stress might affect something as serious as a stroke—and what steps you can take to protect your health.

Can Long-Term Stress Raise Your Risk of Stroke?

Yes, chronic stress can increase your risk of stroke, but not in a direct way. Dr. Benesch explains that long-term stress contributes to common stroke risk factors like high blood pressure, poor sleep, unhealthy habits, and systemic inflammation.

Over time, this can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which raises your risk for an ischemic stroke, the most common type.

“We don’t have a ‘stress meter’ like we have a blood pressure cuff, but what we do know is that high levels of chronic stress correlate with higher rates of stroke and cardiovascular disease,” says Dr. Benesch.

What Happens To Your Body When You’re Stressed?

When you’re under stress, your body releases stress hormones like epinephrine (better known as adrenaline) and cortisol. These hormones are helpful in short bursts—they help us react to danger—but when they’re constantly elevated, they can:

  • Raise your blood pressure
  • Elevate blood sugar levels
  • Promote inflammation
  • Encourage blood clot formation

All of these factors contribute to vascular damage and, ultimately, higher stroke risk.

Can a Scary or Traumatic Event Cause a Stroke?

While chronic stress is more strongly linked to ischemic stroke, there is evidence that extreme acute stress—like experiencing violence, a car accident, or a natural disaster—may increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain).

“We see these extreme acute responses more often in cardiac events, like heart attacks or ‘broken heart syndrome,’” Dr. Benesch says. “In stroke, it’s less common, but if a person has very high blood pressure and a vulnerable blood vessel, severe stress could trigger a hemorrhagic event.”

Can you have a stroke and not know it? 

Are Some People More Vulnerable to Stress-Related Health Risks?

Yes. Research shows that people in lower socioeconomic groups may be more vulnerable to stress-related stroke. Factors like financial instability, unsafe housing, or lack of access to healthcare can contribute to chronic stress.

“For someone who doesn’t worry about the cost of eggs, that stressor might not register. But for someone on a tight budget, that daily worry adds up,” says Dr. Benesch.

“These are systemic factors that contribute to chronic stress and, in turn, increase health risks.”

How Does Stress Affect Your Risk for Stroke?

Stress can sneak into every part of your life, making it more likely you will trade healthy habits for those that raise your risk of stroke, like:

  • Poor diet
  • Lack of exercise
  • Smoking or drinking more
  • Poor sleep
  • Skipping medications
  • Avoiding doctor visits

These habits create a ripple effect, worsening major stroke risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol.

Can Managing Stress Help Prevent Stroke?

While stress alone isn’t typically listed as a stroke risk factor in clinical guidelines, managing it is essential for overall cardiovascular health.

“But if you’re not sleeping, not eating well, and not taking care of yourself, that stress is clearly affecting your health,” says Dr. Benesch.

He recommends simple strategies:

  • Find an activity that brings you joy, like reading, gardening, or spending time with family.
  • Try mindfulness techniques if that appeals to you.
  • Talk to a doctor or mental health provider if stress feels unmanageable.
How to Include Stress Management in Your Stroke Prevention Strategy

Dr. Benesch encourages patients to take stress seriously—but not to let it overwhelm them. “You can’t control everything, but you can take control of small, daily decisions that support your health,” he says.

Whether it’s going for a walk, getting enough sleep, or talking to someone about what’s on your mind, stress management is a vital part of caring for your heart, brain, and body.

What Are the Warning Signs of a Stroke? (FAST Guide)
No matter your stress level, it’s critical to recognize the signs of a stroke. Use the acronym FAST:
  • Face drooping
  • Arm weakness
  • Speech difficulty
  • Time to call 911

Prompt treatment can significantly improve outcomes, especially for ischemic strokes that benefit from early intervention.

Image by Gerald Oswald from Pixabay

Original post: University of Rochester Medical Center

By Nina Elias

]]> Try these techniques to help manage stress symptoms https://www.stress.org/news/try-these-techniques-to-help-manage-stress-symptoms/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=try-these-techniques-to-help-manage-stress-symptoms Mon, 23 Jun 2025 15:42:01 +0000 https://www.stress.org/?post_type=news&p=111662 Fit to Farm: It can be as simple as connecting your awareness in the moment to the literal ground underfoot.

The busy spring and summer seasons can bring a sense of urgency and extra stress to our systems. While the demands of these seasons are unavoidable for many of us, we don’t have to suffer through stress-related symptoms in our bodies.

Taking just a few moments daily can build our resilience, no matter what challenges this season brings. Here are a few of my favourite “on-the-go” stress management and nervous system regulation tools.

Grounding

Think of your nervous system as a complex biological electrical circuit — one that benefits from being grounded. Grounding means connecting your awareness to the literal ground beneath you. This could be the earth itself, your floor, the floor of a vehicle, or the seat you’re sitting on. All these surfaces connect to our global electromagnetic field: the Earth.

While you may have seen ads for grounding products such as sheets, mats, shoes or clothing, all you really need is your mind and body. The simplest method is to notice where your body contacts a stable surface: your feet on the ground, your weight in a chair, or your back against a surface while lying down. That’s grounding!

Spending even a few moments in this awareness throughout your day effectively regulates your nervous system (that complex biological electrical grid) to the present moment. When we’re grounded in the present, we can better process past stresses and future worries.

Conscious breath

Taking a moment to focus on your breath is another powerful way to anchor yourself in the present moment and release lingering stress. Start by noticing the details of your breath: how it feels, where it moves. Then create a rhythm, making your inhales and exhales equal in length. You’ll likely find this rhythm becomes easier with practice. Next, try exhaling through an open mouth with a gentle sigh, gradually lengthening these exhales.

This breathing technique has been proven to calm your system and promote both regulation and rest. If you have trouble sleeping, this tool might be particularly helpful.

Sensory orientation

This practice engages your external senses: hearing, sight, smell and touch.

Begin by letting your eyes scan your environment: look up, behind, below and all around you. Take in as much detail as possible about your surroundings. Then let your gaze settle somewhere comfortable. Notice smells, starting with the strongest and moving to more subtle ones. Do the same with sounds. For touch, explore different textures with your hands, apply gentle pressure to various parts of your body, then slowly release. Finally, spend a few breaths mindfully feeling your feet against the ground.

Stress is a natural part of life, but our bodies aren’t designed to handle constant stress buildup. Regular self-care practices that support both body and mind are essential. Connecting with loved ones and community helps buffer stress’s impacts. If stress disrupts your sleep, relationships or overall well-being, it’s important to seek help from physical wellness and mental health professionals.

 

Image by Валентин Симеонов from Pixabay

Original Post 

About the author, Kathlyn Hossack is a certified athletic therapist and somatic therapist. She consults clients for injury rehabilitation and healthy lifestyles in person in St. Norbert, Man., and virtually via video conference.

]]> There are different types of stress – one is particularly toxic. Here’s what you need to know https://www.stress.org/news/there-are-different-types-of-stress-one-is-particularly-toxic-heres-what-you-need-to-know/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=there-are-different-types-of-stress-one-is-particularly-toxic-heres-what-you-need-to-know Fri, 20 Jun 2025 16:15:25 +0000 https://www.stress.org/?post_type=news&p=111659 We’ve all had times when we know we should we working less and enjoying life more. But if your job puts you under chronic stress and you’re spending long hours at your desk, there could be a long-term impact on your brain.

According to new research, spending more than 52 hours a week at work could impact your brain as it tries to meet the increased demands. The study – published in the journal Occupational And Environmental Medicine – suggests that working very long hours could even change the shape of the brain as it attempts to cope. This could lead to ‘fatigue, emotional instability or reduced cognitive efficiency in the longer term’, say the team of Korean researchers who worked on the study.

‘The pressure of these demands on the body will lead to increased cortisol and adrenaline in the body,’ says specialist therapist Fiona Vigar. ‘These are useful hormones in short bursts, after which we’re designed to rest. But our nervous systems simply aren’t evolved to have elevated levels of stress hormones for extended periods, so health is more likely to suffer.’

While some ‘good’ stress is helpful, says Fiona, there are other types that impact our physical and mental health. If you’re working for weeks on a difficult or demanding project, for example, your nervous system can struggle to relax, which can impact sleep and make you feel anxious, irritable and joyless. ‘You may feel physical effects such as headaches, high blood pressure or panic attacks. Ongoing stress without respite, such as being a carer for a loved one, can cause more severe health impacts as the body gets exhausted by the strain.’

The study found that people working long hours might initially see a short-term benefit from increased volume in parts of the brain that govern alertness or efficiency. But as this turns into ‘chronic’ stress over time, this can have a more severe effect on the body, contributing to high blood pressure and the formation of artery-clogging deposits, and linked to anxiety, depression and addiction.

Fiona’s three pieces of advice

* Turn off phone notifications. Each time you receive a ‘ping’, your body will experience a jolt of cortisol.

* Journal. If you struggle to calm the mind at the end of the day, or even overnight, write down your thoughts, ideas and feelings. Don’t worry about whether it makes sense, or if the writing is neat – just scrawl on to the paper. It helps the brain to let go and to intercept repeating thoughts, helping it move into a rest state.

* Take off your shoes and breathe. Find a quiet space, get outside and take off your shoes to feel the ground. Focus on your feet and really feel them; move and spread the toes before letting them settle. Put your hands on your heart and breathe in through the nose for a slow count of five, then out for five. Repeat this, imagining the breath coming into your heart space, for six breaths. Breathing like this calms the heart rate, which calms the brain, moving it into the parasympathetic or rest and restore state. Repeating the exercise during long periods of being busy will give your nervous system respite from the fight/flight state.

 

Original Post by Sarah Maber for Yahoo Life

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

]]> How to Support Mental Health in Times of Financial Uncertainty https://www.stress.org/news/how-to-support-mental-health-in-times-of-financial-uncertainty/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-support-mental-health-in-times-of-financial-uncertainty Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:40:22 +0000 https://www.stress.org/?post_type=news&p=111411

Mental health is not a personal issue confined to off-the-clock hours; it’s a bottom-line business concern, and employers are feeling the heat. Work-related stress costs U.S. businesses up to $300 billion annually, according to The American Institute of Stress.

As economic uncertainty deepens due to tariffs, inflation, and policy shifts, employers are making difficult budget decisions. Raises are being delayed. Teams are shrinking. Benefits are undergoing review. While these moves may be necessary, they risk worsening the conditions driving employee stress.

Why Cuts to Pay and Staffing Could Backfire

SHRM data shows that employees already identify pay and understaffing as leading sources of workplace stress — and these two areas are often hit first during budget cuts. Today’s financial pressures are pushing organizations to freeze hiring, delay raises, or reduce benefits. But these moves, while fiscally motivated, often backfire. By amplifying the very conditions driving burnout and disengagement, they lead to productivity loss and attrition, eroding any short-term gains.

When Cost-Cutting Undermines ROI

Financial pressures have long affected employee well-being, but today’s economic climate is making it worse. Only 47% of U.S. workers feel optimistic about the labor market, according to SHRM’s April Current Events Pulse Survey, down from 61% in January 2025. Nearly half of workers (49%) reported that the current state of the economy has negatively impacted their mental health — placing their retention, engagement, and overall performance at risk.

This drop in confidence is paired with a troubling lack of support. While 92% of company leaders believe they offer the financial tools and guidance employees need to reach their life goals, just 52% of employees agree, according to data from financial wellness provider BrightPlan.

That disconnect already costs businesses billions, and the stakes are only getting higher. Even before this recent wave of financial stress and pessimism, employers lost over seven hours of productivity per employee weekly due to money-related stress. That translates to $183 billion in annual losses.

When workers are anxious about their finances and lack the tools to change their situation, performance declines. Without meaningful support, cost-cutting measures like reduced pay or scaled-back benefits can push stress even higher, turning temporary savings into long-term losses.

Strategies for Protecting ROI and Well-Being

Avoiding short-term cuts and investing in financial wellness is a smart first step — it targets the $183 billion in lost productivity linked to employee financial stress. But that’s just one part of the equation. Employers must further address the mental health challenges affecting retention, engagement, and workplace culture.

  • Reinforce and Clarify What’s Already Available 
    Most employers offer core mental health resources, but they’re often misunderstood or underused. With benefits communication still falling short, organizations should consider reintroducing existing offerings through email, team meetings, or a centralized hub to eliminate confusion and improve uptake.
  • Audit the Culture for Hidden Barriers 
    Policies designed to support mental health on paper mean little if daily practices discourage their use. Ask: Are employees penalized formally or informally for taking time off? Are workloads adjusted after burnout is flagged? When everyday behavior reinforces official policies, employees are more likely to take full advantage of mental health resources such as paid time off.
  • Equip Teams with Mental Health Training 
    Recognizing a mental health concern is one thing; knowing how to respond is another, and most employees aren’t equipped to do either. Only 12% of workers say their employer has someone onsite who has received mental health training, according to the American Psychological Association. Expanding mental health training across roles, not just for HR or leadership, can help build a workplace where people feel safe asking for help — and feel supported when they do.
  • Close the Gap Between Action and Insight 
    Many employers believe their mental health initiatives make a positive difference, but few measure whether that’s true. Tracking doesn’t need to be complex or expensive. Monitor benefit usage, absenteeism, and employee sentiment, and calculate turnover to build a base line. Use short pulse surveys or informal check-ins to gather additional context.

Often, small adjustments — such as tweaking benefits timing, delivery formats, or internal messaging — can improve participation and outcomes without adding cost. Building a simple feedback loop allows organizations to learn what’s effective, make changes quickly, and demonstrate impact to leadership, securing investments in future mental health resources.

Mental Health Is a Business Strategy

Employers don’t need to choose between protecting their bottom line and supporting employee well-being; the two are deeply connected, with employers seeing a $4 return for every $1 spent. In times of economic pressure, the most resilient organizations invest in people.

With intentional communication, culture audits, basic training, and ongoing feedback loops, companies can strengthen mental health without increasing spending to preserve performance, engagement, and trust when it matters most.

By Olivia Gebreamlak for SHRM BUSINESS

Image by Kevin Schneider from Pixabay

]]> In 2025, June is designated as PTSD Awareness Month. https://www.stress.org/news/in-2025-june-is-designated-as-ptsd-awareness-month/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=in-2025-june-is-designated-as-ptsd-awareness-month Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:33:25 +0000 https://www.stress.org/?post_type=news&p=111409

Post-Traumatic Disorder – What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a real disorder that develops when a person has experienced or witnessed a scary, shocking, terrifying, or dangerous event. These stressful or traumatic events usually involve a situation where someone’s life has been threatened or severe injury has occurred. Children and adults with PTSD may feel anxious or stressed even when they are not in present danger.

Causes

You can get PTSD after living through or seeing a traumatic event, such as war, a natural disaster, sexual assault, physical abuse, or a bad accident. PTSD makes you feel stressed and afraid after the danger is over. It affects your life and the people around you.

PTSD starts at different times for different people. Signs of PTSD may start soon after a frightening event and then continue. Other people develop new or more severe signs months or even years later. PTSD is often related to the seriousness of the trauma, whether the trauma was repeated or not, what the individual’s proximity to the trauma was, and what their relationship is with the victim or perpetrator of the trauma.

To be considered for PTSD, signs and symptoms must last more than a month and be severe enough to interfere with school, work, or relationships. PTSD can happen to anyone, even children.

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of PTSD may last months to years. PTSD symptoms may include:

  • Flashbacks, or feeling like the event is happening again
  • Trouble sleeping or nightmares
  • Feeling alone or detached from others
  • Losing interest in activities
  • Having angry outbursts or other extreme reactions
  • Feeling worried, guilty, or sad
  • Frightening thoughts
  • Having trouble concentrating
  • Having physical pain like headaches or stomach aches
  • Avoidance of memories, thoughts, or feelings about what closely associated with traumatic events
  • Problems remembering
  • Negative beliefs about themselves or others
  • Irritability
  • Feeling very vigilant
  • Startling easily

Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and substance use also are seen with people who have PTSD.

Testing for PTSD

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a doctor who has experience helping people with mental illnesses, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, can diagnose PTSD.

Get Help

There are several ways someone can manage PTSD. Talking to a specially trained doctor or counselor helps many people with PTSD. This is called talk therapy. Medicines can help you feel less afraid, tense, and depressed. It might take a few weeks for them to work.

Learn how to talk about mental health to help you speak to a loved one who you may think is experiencing any mental health concerns.

Need Help?

  • If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
  • To learn how to get support for mental health, drug, and alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov.
  • To locate treatment facilities or providers, visit FindTreatment.gov or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357).

Resources

 

]]> Over half of American employees have used AI to take workplace training, according to new data https://www.stress.org/news/over-half-of-american-employees-have-used-ai-to-take-workplace-training-according-to-new-data/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=over-half-of-american-employees-have-used-ai-to-take-workplace-training-according-to-new-data Wed, 28 May 2025 12:41:40 +0000 https://www.stress.org/?post_type=news&p=111158

Moodle’s State of Workplace Learning Report uncovers key insights on workplace behaviors and employee learning experiences from U.S. employees

Moodle, a global leader in ed-tech, released findings aimed at discovering employee sentiment around their learning experiences and challenges at work. Conducted by third-party research firm Censuswide, the data differentiates generational attitudes and preferences between employees in different age groups and reveals how Americans are overlooking workplace training.

Training or tuning out? Rethinking employee learning in the age of AI

American companies spent an estimated $1,500 per employee on training in 2024 – nearly $340B across all businesses. Despite these investments, data shows that a quarter of employees (25%) report that the training is not impactful, not worth their time, and doesn’t adequately prepare them for their roles. Nearly half (46%) speed up training videos to finish faster or let them play while multitasking. Another 1 in 10 (14%) mute their laptops or click through questions without actually participating.

Moreover, over half (52%) of American employees use AI to complete mandatory work training assigned to them. This includes using AI to answer more difficult questions they are unsure about (21%), helping them answer certain parts of questions (19%), and even taking the entire training for them (12%).

Moodle’s report also uncovered that two-thirds (66%) of American employees today are experiencing some sort of burnout, driven by:

  • Feeling like they have more work to complete than time to do it – 24%
  • Not having enough resources or the right tools to do their job properly – 24%
  • A perception of a poor economy which is impacting their well-being at work – 20%
  • Taking on too much work due to labor shortages in their industry – 19%
  • They’re worried about how AI will impact their role – 13%

“American workers across most industries are struggling – especially young employees. Burnout rates are high and the threat of AI is triggering significant fear about their relevance at work,” said Scott Anderberg, CEO of Moodle. “And they are broadly saying that the training and development programs they have access to are not helping. In fact, in many cases, it’s making things worse. Employers have a unique opportunity to move beyond compliance and regulatory exercises to developing learning experiences that improve employee engagement, reduce their anxiety, and create an environment where both team members and the organization can thrive.  Moodle’s platform and services offer the flexibility, personalization, and accessibility to support organizations in making this happen.”

A company’s acknowledgement and response to this burnout is crucial. Tools like Moodle allow employers to personalize their training and onboarding experiences from the jump and provide visibility and upskilling opportunities as employees rise through the ranks.

A look at today’s workplace

The modern workplace is increasingly complex, bringing together four distinct generations for the first time ever —Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z—each with unique perspectives, communication styles, and expectations.

Moodle’s data reveals that younger generations are facing significantly higher rates of burnout, with 81% of 18-24 year olds and 83% of 25-34 year olds reporting burnout, compared to just 49% of those aged 55 and older. The top reasons for burnout across all age groups include:

  • Feeling stressed because they feel they have more work to complete than time to do it (24%)
  • A perception of a poor economy which is impacting their well-being at work – 20%
  • Feeling stressed because they’re taking on too much work due to labor shortages in their industry (19%)

The data also uncovers employees’ willingness to adopt AI:

  • Gen Z is 3x more likely to be concerned that AI tools may replace parts of their role in the future (27% vs. 8% of individuals 55+)
  • But they are the generation most open to it, saying they find AI tools very helpful and believe they improve productivity (24% vs. 13% of individuals 55+)

As workforce generations shift, it’s clear that employers need to stay up to date on changing employee attitudes and expectations. High rates of burnout amongst younger generations provide an opportunity for companies to reprioritize employee wellbeing, offer meaningful professional development opportunities and enforce healthy work-life balance.

About Moodle

Moodle is a global leader in education technology, offering a suite of innovative products and services, all built upon its flagship open-source learning management system. Moodle’s solutions empower online learning and training for organizations across a range of sizes and industries. Having served hundreds of millions of learners worldwide, Moodle is the market leader in fostering accessible, flexible, secure, and impactful learning experiences across education, government, and business sectors. Learn more at Moodle.

Original Post Moodle

Image by Kohji Asakawa from Pixabay

 

]]> How chronic stress fuels the rise of diabetes https://www.stress.org/news/how-chronic-stress-fuels-the-rise-of-diabetes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-chronic-stress-fuels-the-rise-of-diabetes Thu, 22 May 2025 13:42:06 +0000 https://www.stress.org/?post_type=news&p=111026 With relentless deadlines and outdated expectations, stress has become a constant companion for millions. While its toll on mental health is well acknowledged, its impact on physical health—particularly blood sugar regulation—remains under-recognised. This hidden risk may have serious consequences for many.

When the body encounters stress, it triggers the “fight or flight” response. The brain signals the adrenal glands to release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones mobilise energy reserves, enabling the body to respond swiftly. While vital in short bursts, repeated stimulation from chronic stress can be harmful.

Cortisol is the key player in stress-induced blood sugar imbalance. During stress, it prompts the liver to release glucose through gluconeogenesis, ensuring immediate energy. However, cortisol also reduces insulin sensitivity, impairing glucose absorption and raising blood sugar. Over time, this can contribute to insulin resistance and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Chronic stress exacerbates blood sugar regulation. Prolonged cortisol elevation can lead to persistent hyperglycaemia, a driver of metabolic disorders. Studies show that those facing ongoing stress—from work pressures to financial strain—are more prone to insulin resistance.

Stress also fuels poor habits: unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, and disrupted sleep, all of which worsen blood sugar control.

Though stress is inevitable, its effects can be managed. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and relaxation techniques like meditation help lower cortisol and stabilise blood sugar. Workplaces must also support mental well-being to reduce stress-related health risks.

Reducing stress is not only vital for mental peace—it’s essential for metabolic health.

The writer is the founder & CEO of Nutrition For Change.

E-mail: raisameh20@gmail.com

Original Post The Daily Star

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