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The most stressed US state also boasts the nations favorite city
A new study conducted by WalletHub ranked the nation’s States by how stressed out they are amid a cost-of-living crisis, health issues, and problems at work.
Stress is a very normal human trait, and yet, just thinking about it sends your blood pressure soaring and your cheeks a scarlet shade of red.
Does your state rank with stress?
According to WalletHub, the most stressed American State is Louisiana, which boasts a population of nearly 5 million. So if you know someone in the Bayou State, best send them some lavender oil and a scented candle.
As per the report, experts attributed the State’s overall stress levels to a number of factors. Firstly, they argued that Louisiana has one of the highest violent crime and property crime rates per capita. Naturally, people are worried for their safety.
Next, they speculated that the State’s high separation rate could also play a part, as could the location’s high poverty rate. Coincidentally, and despite being an overly stressed-out State, Louisiana also houses one of the most popular cities in the world, New Orleans.
The rest of the top ten stressed States included Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Arkansas, West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Of course, there are some states where the vibe is considerably more chill. The least stressed state was Minnesota, followed by South Dakota, Utah, New Hampshire, Iowa, Idaho, North Dakota, Delaware, Nebraska, and Hawaii.
Experts offered advice
A range of finance and psychology experts offered advice to stressed-out States like Louisiana, with many suggesting taking each issue separately.
Stacey N. Doan from Claremont McKenna College said: “The top-notch stress-busters go straight to the source, targeting the “fight-or-flight” response. Activities like running or letting off steam with a punching bag really are very effective.
“Another approach is tapping into the parasympathetic nervous system, which acts as a “brake” on the stress response. Simple things like controlled breathing, a stroll in nature, or a bit of physical touch can work wonders. Best part? These tricks will not cost you a penny.”
Similarly, Professor of Sociology Elaine Leeder said: “It costs nothing and fills one’s life with meaning. I also recommend volunteering. Food banks need help; donating extra food or garden excess also costs nothing.”
