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Germany is in constant stress Every second adult is stressed
Stress is an everyday phenomenon that almost every adult knows today and many children also feel stressed already ... In a recent study, the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) investigated the occurrence of stress in the population, its causes, possible consequences and the most popular methods of relaxation. Six out of ten adults suffer from stress and one in four feels stressed.
Are the people in this country more stressed or are we just talking more about it? The opinion research institute Forsa has investigated these and other questions on behalf of the Techniker Krankenkasse for the current study. Accordingly, a high proportion of adults regularly suffer from stress, with the burdens of constant digital access among many working people playing a role. But also the multitude of free time leads to stress in almost one third of the interviewees.
According to a recent study by the Techniker Krankenkasse, many Germans are in constant stress. (Image Jürgen Fälchle / fotolia.com) Stress also with positive aspects
In itself, stress is not necessarily bad. "Evolutionary biological stress has always ensured that we can perform at their best in emergency situations," explains Holger Stanislawski, former football coach and entrepreneur in a foreword to the current TC study. However, the maximum performance also requires an increased use of energy and is therefore always healthy only for a limited period of time. Those who do not regularly provide for balance, easily reach the limits of resilience. Then the positive effects of stress lose their effect and those affected feel irritable, drained and overwhelmed, according to the TK.
1,200 people asked about their stress levels
For the representative study in June and July 2016 by the polling institute Forsa 1,200 German-speaking persons aged 18 years to their stress levels and their relaxation strategies in everyday life, leisure and work interviewed. Among other things, the survey aimed to clarify what the current state of stress of the nation is, which particularly stresses men, women, young people, the elderly, parents and singles, how people relax and how satisfied they are with their lives, according to the TK. It also raised the question of how a digital society and the world of work can be made healthy, where employers are required and what each individual can do.
Six out of ten adults stressed
Despite falling weekly working time absenteeism due to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and stress disorders in the last 15 years have increased by almost 90 percent, reports the TK. "Six out of ten adults in this country are under power, almost one in four even states that they are often stressed," the health insurance company continues. The most important stress factors are "the job (46 percent), high self-claims (43 percent), deadlines in leisure time (33 percent), road traffic (30 percent) and constant digital accessibility (28 percent)".
Accessibility after work a significant stress factor
According to the TK, permanent digital accessibility primarily concerns working people. Three in ten employees said that their job required accessibility even after work or on vacation. For them, the stress level was accordingly very high. 73 percent suffered from stress. Employees today are required to be significantly more flexible, as "digitalization, globalization of the markets and customers' demand for everything to do around the clock have significantly changed our working environment in recent years," explains Dr. Ing. Jens Baas, CEO of TK: But if almost 30 percent of the workforce indicate that they must be reachable after work and on vacation, then run in the company organization something wrong. "That does not support a healthy corporate culture," says Baas.
The stress causes are often in the professional environment, but many other triggers were called. (Graik: Techniker health insurance) Which are the most popular relaxation activities?
The study of TK also reveals some quite pleasing aspect. After all, 40 percent of the respondents said they rarely or never feel stressed. In addition, almost half of the respondents use sport as compensation. However, lazing around, meeting with friends and family, and other hobbies continue to be the most popular relaxation activities (seven out of ten respondents). According to the TK, walking and listening to music each benefit six out of ten adults and 36 percent relax through volunteer work. "One third reaches for the bottle and relaxes with wine or beer," reports TK. Recognized relaxation methods such as yoga or autogenic training, however, would only be used by 13 percent of respondents.
Digital relaxation increasingly popular
In nearly 30 percent of the respondents, the digital relaxation with computer games or in social networks was a popular method. Here, however, "blatant differences between the age groups" have emerged, reports TK expert Peter Wendt. Nearly half of the 18 to 39-year-olds like to spend their after-work hours online, and for the 40- to 59-year-olds it is just under a quarter. "At least for those who spend their working day in front of the screen, this is not a strategy we would recommend," says Dr. Baas. Those who spend their time in the same passive attitude in front of the flickering screen as before the working day, find no compensation here.
Stress at the age of 40 years greatest
Overall, the stress level is highest among adults under the age of 40 years, reports the TK. Three out of four respondents are stressed here and only five percent in this age group would not be stressed. "Fortunately, most of them are so healthy at a young age that the stress is not noticeable. But especially in view of the multiple burdens and the long working life that lies ahead of them, regular compensation is important, "emphasizes the TK CEO.
Occupational stress can also inspire
According to the TK, "43 percent of working people feel that they are working and consuming." Although this is mainly expressed by older workers, 37 percent of employees under the age of 40 already know the feeling. In addition, almost one in five of the working people are worried about being unable to keep up with the pace of work. However, stress at work is not equally stressful for all respondents. After all, 42 percent of the interviewees said that occupational stress spurred them on rather than burdened them.
Corporate culture for a healthy work
"Whether stress is a challenge or a burden obviously depends on whether you have a task that is fun," explains TK expert Peter Wendt. After all, 70 percent of the working population can say that they work, just under a quarter see the job as a livelihood and for every twentieth working person, the work is pure frustration. Government regulations to reduce the stress burden in the company are the wrong way in the opinion of the head of the TK. "We need a corporate culture in the companies that enables people to work well, regenerate and balance family and work," says Baas. This also includes, "that closing time is with the constant accessibility." (Fp)