How Stressed is Your State?

Wallethub is back with another exciting survey, this time on stress. We all know stress can be a killer. With April being Stress Awareness Month and money, the economy and health issues proving to be Americans’ biggest stressors last year, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2024’s Most & Least Stressed States, as well as expert commentary, to identify where Americans can best take care of their mental health and which states are in need of improvement.

WalletHub compared the 50 states across 40 key metrics. The data set ranges from average hours worked per week to the personal bankruptcy rate to the share of adults getting adequate sleep.

Key Stats

• North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate, which is 2.7 times lower than in Nevada, the highest.
   
• New Hampshire has the lowest share of the population living in poverty, which is 2.6 times lower than in Mississippi, the highest.
   
• Utah has the lowest separation & divorce rate, which is 1.7 times lower than in New Mexico, the highest.
   
• Hawaii and Massachusetts have the lowest share of adults in fair or poor health, which is 1.8 times lower than in Mississippi, the highest.
   
• Massachusetts has the most psychologists per 100,000 residents, which is 6.4 times more than in Alabama, the fewest.

“There are plenty of small ways for people to manage stress, from staying active and participating in hobbies to taking vacations from work and getting help from a mental health professional. What many people don’t realize, though, is that changing location can also be a big stress reducer. For example, states that have lower crime rates, better health care and better economies tend to have much less stressed residents.”
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“Louisiana is the most stressed state, in large part because it has one of the highest violent crime rates per capita and property crime rates per capita. Residents of the Bayou State also have the third-highest separation and divorce rate in the country. In addition, financial conditions in Louisiana contribute to people’s stress levels, as the state has the second-highest poverty rate and second-lowest median credit score in the country.”

– Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst

Expert Commentary

What tips do you have for fighting stress without spending money?

“There are so many ways to avoid stress while not spending money. First of all, I recommend exercise as the primary activity. If one has children, it is an excellent way to bond, develop close family ties, and avoid cost. Secondly, one can also go to public parks and free activities. Museums have free days, doing art, music, or writing are also cost-free. I spend very little money doing my writing, swimming, and seeing friends. 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.”
Elaine Leeder – Dean Emerita/Professor of Sociology Emerita, Sonoma State University

“There are three things that many people take for granted: exercise, sleep, and healthy foods. We cannot control many things in life, but we can generally control how much or how little we exercise, sleep, and eat. There is plenty of research that demonstrates that eating healthy, exercising regularly, or just taking leisurely walks, and sleeping enough help manage stress. These activities do not require a lot of money, but they reduce stress levels considerably. We often forget to take time to nurture ourselves in our busy schedules until we see warning signs. Prioritizing our lives and spending time on what is meaningful is a smart and cost-free intervention. Spending time with family and good friends in activities we enjoy can contribute to a higher quality of life. Parks, beaches, libraries, museums, and other recreational spaces can also be inexpensive and creative outlets. Simple, but meaningful activities not only reduce stress, but research studies have found they help us to become even more productive in work and life.”
Susan J. Paik, Ph.D. – Professor, Claremont Graduate University; Visiting Scholar, Northwestern University

What steps can people take to reduce stress over finances?

“The first step is to identify what you can and cannot control. You may not be able to control the cost of heating your home, but you can influence the cost by controlling how warm your home is. Likewise, unless you are already on a shoestring budget, you likely can reduce your grocery bill, if even by a small amount—all savings add up! Second, consider if there are ways you can earn more money. Can you pick up a few more hours at your job? Take another job? Start a side hustle? Third, if you are concerned about your ability to pay your bills, focus on those that are essential first. This will help you deliberately think through what you spend your money on, ease decisions about what bill(s) to prioritize, highlight bills that can be cut, and decrease financial anxiety. Related, talk to your lenders and utilities. Many lenders are open to discussing issues and helping to find a short-term solution. Likewise, many utility companies have budgeting plans that may be helpful.”
Lisa M. Hagermoser Sanetti, Ph.D., BCBA – Professor, University of Connecticut

What tips do you have for parents trying to minimize their children’s stress levels?

“To minimize children’s stress levels, parents first need to regulate their own stress. Stress is contagious, and children are sensitive and vulnerable to parents’ negative moods, anger, and frustration. Reducing stress in children also involves creating a supportive environment and employing effective communication and coping strategies. Children also flourish in structured and predictable environments, so build in routine, regular family meals, and consistent sleep and wake times. Moreover, parents should encourage emotional expression and communication, and minimize overscheduling, create space for children to explore, be creative, and play. Most importantly, children need to know that they are loved and that their parents are in control. It is important to remember that every child and every family is unique, so strategies need to be tailored to fit the individual circumstance!”
Stacey N. Doan, Ph.D. – Professor; Director, Berger Institute for Individual and Social Development, Claremont McKenna College

“First, parents must let their children know that everyone experiences stress and that some stress is good (makes sure we do not get hit by cars when crossing the street) and some are too much (inability to stop ruminating about the results of the math test last Monday). When we have too much stress, it is often a cue that we have too much on our plates, or are having a difficult time managing certain situations. Second, parents can talk with their children about what makes them feel stressed. Is not being able to find things stressful? An increasing organization may help. Is there too much to do and too little time? Making a weekly schedule of when tasks can be completed may help. Are there issues in a friendship? Talking through and role-playing appropriate ways to address them may help. Third, parents can encourage their children to ask for help with stressors when they arise. Fourth, parents can talk about stressful parts of their day and how they handled them to model problem-solving…Finally, parents can make sure children are getting adequate sleep, nutrition, and leisure/fun time to balance out their other obligations.”
Lisa M. Hagermoser Sanetti, Ph.D., BCBA – Professor, University of Connecticut