{"id":110834,"date":"2025-05-02T18:56:30","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T18:56:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stress.org\/?post_type=news&p=110834"},"modified":"2025-05-02T18:56:30","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T18:56:30","slug":"why-women-are-more-stressed-than-ever-and-how-to-address-it","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.stress.org\/news\/why-women-are-more-stressed-than-ever-and-how-to-address-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Women Are More Stressed Than Ever And How To Address It"},"content":{"rendered":"

April is stress awareness month, and studies show Americans are more stressed now than ever. According to a recent report conducted by\u00a0Mental Health America<\/a>, about 23% of American adults say they experienced a mental health condition in 2024, and about 75% of Americans reported experiencing a physical or mental health symptom of stress in the last month. Although stress seems to be increasing for many, stress and symptoms associated with chronic stress appear to be rising at more significant rates for women compared to men. This is especially true for women of color. But experts say there are intentional actions you can take to combat stress.<\/p>\n

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What Is Stress?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Stress is not necessarily a disease or mental health condition, but it can have lasting effects on a person’s mental health and wellness.\u00a0The American Institute of Stress\u00a0<\/a>describes stress as the body\u2019s specific response to any pleasant or unpleasant demand. More commonly than not, the source of stress is caused by some sort of life change that takes place. For example, a divorce, the loss of a loved one, the birth of a child, a job loss, or even getting a new job. But it can also stem from a person\u2019s surroundings, like an aggressive boss or a tense conversation.<\/p>\n

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Women and Stress<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Research suggests that Americans are experiencing higher levels of stress compared to previous years. A survey conducted by the\u00a0American Psychological Association<\/a>\u00a0found that almost 80% of American adults consider the country\u2019s future a significant source of stress, an increase from previous years. Experts say that ongoing political and economic uncertainty of the country is taking a toll on mental and physical health. For example, a poll by\u00a0The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research<\/a>\u00a0found that about half of American adults say that President Trump\u2019s trade policies will increase prices \u201ca lot,\u201d and another 3 in 10 people think prices could go up \u201csomewhat.\u201d The same poll found that roughly half of Americans are also \u201cextremely\u201d or \u201cvery\u201d concerned about the possibility of the U.S. economy going into a recession in the next few months.<\/p>\n

Although these statistics are staggering, women have historically experienced higher levels of stress and burden compared to men — and those numbers seem to be climbing. For instance, in a 2023\u00a0study<\/a>\u00a0with a sample of more than 3,000 adults, women rated their stress levels at an average of 5.3 out of 10, while men reported an average of 4.8 out of 10 and were more likely to rate their stress levels between an 8 and a 10 than men (27% versus 21%). Women were also more likely to say they \u201cstrongly agree\u201d that no one understands how stressed they are and were less likely to report that they can quickly get over stress.<\/p>\n

The same study found that women were also more likely to report stress about money, family, responsibilities, and relationships, and 68% of the women surveyed acknowledged they needed more support, compared with 63% of men. Experts suggest that these stressors have been further exacerbated by additional and more recent concerns about changes in reproductive rights and women\u2019s rights, access to education for their children, and access to retirement and social security. Current concerns also add insult to injury to feelings of stress that women have historically experienced related to the current\u00a0pay gap<\/a>\u00a0that has recently somewhat narrowed, but women continue to earn an average of 85% of what men earn.<\/p>\n

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Many women of color experience these concerns along with the<\/span>\u00a0additional stressors\u00a0<\/a>and trauma often associated with experiences with racism. Because women of color have been minoritized by being both a woman and non-white, they are often exposed to racism and sexism simultaneously. Other factors that further compound feelings of stress include sexuality, socioeconomic status, nationality, and citizenship \u2013 all of which are groups that have become especially vulnerable in the current socio-political and socio-cultural climate.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Effects of Stress On Women<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is not uncommon for the term \u201cstress\u201d or \u201cstressed\u201d to be used to describe minor discomfort, and although feelings of stress can be minor and fleeting, stress can also be chronic and create various challenges in carrying out daily tasks. That said, the more severe the cause of stress is, the higher the likelihood of more severe symptoms.<\/p>\n

When the body senses a perceived threat, stress levels naturally rise, and hormones such as epinephrine, cortisol, and norepinephrine are released to increase hypervigilance, higher blood pressure, and tense muscles. This is often called the \u201cfight or flight\u201d response that results from acute stress. Ironically, in short bursts, stress can actually help with thinking, alertness, and focus. But when stress becomes chronic, it can lead to physical and mental health concerns.<\/p>\n

During trying times, women may be less likely to prioritize their own mental and physical health and put the needs of others before their own. Men and women experience similar effects of stress, such as trouble sleeping, headaches, indigestion, and weaker immune systems. But research suggests that women may feel other effects of stress differently than men.<\/p>\n

For example, studies suggest stress in women is linked to:<\/p>\n