美國人被壓力弄得精疲力盡了。我猜這並不讓人吃驚。問題是，我們是如何加以應對、進行減壓的？據《美國心理學會》(American Psychological Association)一項新的調查，答案是，我們做的還不夠。
據週三公佈的'年度調查顯示，採用減壓技巧來應對壓力的人減少了。在被問及的方法中──從運動、閱讀、祈禱到購物，在今年的調查中，幾乎所有的方法都沒有2008年用的多。很多人開始採用久坐的方法，比如聽音樂或是吃東西。
據美國心理學會的臨牀心理學家、研究員庫恩斯(Helen L. Coons)說，人們沒有采取措施減壓的一個主要原因是沒有時間。最終，我們被壓得精疲力盡，沒有力氣去減壓了。
Americans are stressed out. No surprise there, I suppose. The question is, what are we doing about it? The answer, according to a new survey from the American Psychological Association, is not enough.
Fewer people are utilizing stress-management techniques to cope with their burdens, according to the annual survey released yesterday. Among the techniques asked about─from exercising to reading, praying or shopping─nearly all were being used less in this year’s survey compared with 2008. And many people are turning to sedentary methods, such as listening to music or eating.
A big reason that people don’t take steps to reduce their stress is lack of time, according to Helen L. Coons, a clinical psychologist and a fellow of the APA. Essentially, we are too stressed to reduce our stress.
But Dr. Coons, who spoke at a briefing yesterday on the research, emphasize that it’s important for people to take care of themselves so they have more energy for the other things they need to do. We need to ’reframe ’self care’ as something that is not selfish,’ she said.
Most people reported that their health-care provider had recommended lifestyle changes, such as a healthier diet. But patients advised to make changes associated with behaviors or symptoms of stress─including quitting smoking or getting more sleep─were the least likely to report success.
Our levels of stress appear to have abated somewhat since the financial debacle of last year, according to the survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive and queried 1,568 adults from around the country. Just 42% of people said their stress has increased over the past year, compared with 47% in 2008. And the symptoms of stress - from irritability to fatigue to teeth grinding - were all a bit lower this year.
But our overall stress levels are still high, which the researchers cautioned could be a precursor to serious health consequences.
Jugglers, we all probably wish we could find more time to unwind. What are some of the stress-management techniques that you rely on? And how to you find time to squeeze them in without stressing out?