Report: Chicagoans are stressed but learning to cope

As the economic downturn drags on, Chicagoans are increasingly stressed about work and job stability, according to a new survey from the American Psychological Association, released today.

But people may be mastering the art of managing stress: More Chicagoans are exercising, walking and reading while fewer are eating excessively, drinking alcohol, shopping too much or smoking to help deal with their feelings, the survey reports (chicagotribune.com/relax).

"We think people are habituating to stress," said Dr. Nancy Molitor, public education coordinator for the Illinois Psychological Association. "It's the new normal."

Seventy-two percent of Chicagoans listed their work as a significant source of stress in the survey, compared  with 66 percent last year. Job stability evoked substantial discomfort for 52 percent of 208 adults who participated in the study this summer, compared with 42 percent last year.

This year significantly fewer adults said they were feeling depressed or sad (28 percent in 2009 versus 47 percent in 2008), suffering from headaches (23 percent versus 40 percent last year) or experiencing irritability or anger (32 percent versus 56 percent).

"People are just sort of enduring difficult situations and going through the motions, doing whatever they think they have to do to get by," Molitor said.

That may be sapping their motivation to lead healthier, better-balanced lives. A whopping 46 percent said they lacked the willpower to make needed lifestyle changes, even if told they had a chronic condition. Nationally, only one-third of adults reported a similar failure of willpower.

--Judith Graham

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