Adult anxiety is on the rise, thanks to a variety of external stressors, such as financial worries and social media. With so many external stressors weighing us down today, it’s no wonder everyone is feeling a bit stressed out. In this article, we’ll examine some of the most common causes of anxiety in adults, as well as provide some tips on how to alleviate stress. If you’ve found yourself feeling more stressed than usual lately, this might just be the article for you.
Cost of Living
One of the most common causes of anxiety among adults is the rising costs of living. A myriad of factors contribute to the cost of living, especially in the United States. These factors include housing costs and rent prices, food and groceries, transportation expenses and car insurance, student loan payments, and healthcare and health insurance costs, among many others. And that’s just necessities. If a person wants to spend any money on personal expenditures or save up for passion projects, they have to have supplemental income to spare.
Per the World Population Review, the average cost of living in the United States is $61,334, with roughly $1,784 a month going directly to housing costs. That equates to roughly $21,408 a year. For context, the median household income in the United States is $67,521. That’s almost a third of our income going directly to mortgages or rent. So, where do we go from here?
According to the publication, the average cost of transportation in the United States is $9,826, while the average American spends around $7,317 a year on food, which includes groceries and eating out. These costs, along with the cost of living, increase exponentially depending on how many people are in your family. For example, a four-person household’s expenses will be much higher than that of a single individual.
Finally, the cost of living varies by region. For example, Northeastern and West Coast states, like California, have the highest costs of living, while states in the South and Midwest tend to have quite lower costs of living. Despite these variations in cost, the United States is quickly becoming one of the most expensive countries to live in.
Social Media
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Another major stressor for adults these days is social media. Per Smart Insights, in terms of global social media statistics, a study from April 2024 found that approximately 62.3% of the world’s population is now on social media – that equates to roughly 5.07 billion people. Furthermore, the average daily social media usage is 2 hours and 23 minutes, with younger demographics more prone to social media use than older adults. But, with this increase in social media usage comes a whole new wave of anxieties as well.
Social media can be a toxic stressor for adults because it promotes a comparison mindset. Online, we’re seemingly always comparing ourselves to others or equating our worth to online validation. This isn’t a healthy mindset. In terms of validation, it is important to seek internal rather than external validation. Simply put, don’t base your self-worth on online external factors; your validation should come from within.
Many other external factors can also affect adults’ anxiety levels, whether it be interpersonal relationships, family dynamics, health concerns, etc. As we age, these stressors only increase. For example, having to care for an ailing parent or raise children in an economy that is rapidly increasing in price. Not to mention, for those with children, the cost of sending that child to daycare or school, their medical expenses, and extracurricular fees. It’s no wonder fewer and fewer people are deciding to have children.
Methods to Alleviate Anxiety
With so many external stressors, it is important to find ways to alleviate that anxiety. According to the Mental Health Foundation, several ways to reduce stress include:
- Healthy diet
- Exercise
- Practicing mindfulness (self-care, meditation, etc.)
- Keeping hydrated
- Getting appropriate amounts of sleep
- Take time away from social media
Find what works for you and set aside time each day for self-care and stress relief. You’ll be surprised at how many of these small changes and routines can quickly make a difference in your anxiety levels.
Disclaimer: This article is intended simply to provide information. It does not replace the medical advice of a physician. Please speak with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
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