Aussies more stressed this year
Australians are more stressed in 2010 than they were in 2009, that’s according to Lifeline’s annual stress poll.
The latest poll conducted by Newspoll has 90% of the population, nine out of ten or 20 million Australians, experiencing stress in their lives. 43% of Australians, or just under 9.5 million of us, are very stressed.
That means that over 650,000 more Australians are stressed this year, when compared to last year.
“In fact, Australians are more stressed that Americans,” Lifeline CEO Dawn O’Neil said today. “Believe it or not, when you compare the results of the USA’s last stress poll (2009) to ours, we are significantly more stressed than they are.
“Their poll had 75% of people stressed with 25% experiencing high levels of stress, while our results are 90% and 43% in comparison. Australians really need to work at managing their stress levels.”
“That’s why we are asking people to take a day off stress and join us for Stress Down Day. Funds raised will go towards helping us manage the massive work load we have with around one million Australians contacting us each year through our telephone, face to face and other support services.”
To get involved, go to www.stressdown.org.au.
The number one stressor for Australians is work, with 74% of people who work finding it stressful and 23% finding work very stressful. This is number one again this year, the same as in 2009. However, number two this year is stress regarding thoughts of the future with 69% worried about what’s over the horizon and 16% very stressed about it.
“Last year the number two spot was filled by stress about finances, so the shift to stress about what the future holds is significant. Perhaps it’s all this talk of change, whatever it is, it is making people worried.”
65% of Aussies are concerned about their back pocket and 21% are very stressed about it. Finally, stress about health is at 57% and personal relationship is at 42%.
