June Poll Question: What Are You Doing to Cope with Stress?

We all know that stress is a part of life. In fact, some stress — called eustress — is beneficial, because it motivates us to do things like exercise, learn a skill, or get a better job that ultimately leads to feelings of fulfillment, meaning, and satisfaction.

However, the stress we have all endured in one way or another during the past 18 months has been something quite new — and clearly unwelcome. A Harvard survey found that the pandemic has increased stress levels in 55% of people. And a separate survey by The Harris Poll on behalf of the APA found that 80% of people are displaying signs of prolonged stress.

The good news is that in some (though tragically not all) parts of the world, the darkest days of the pandemic appear to be in the past, and there is cautious optimism that we may start to see some degree of stability and normality in 2021 — setting the stage for some long-overdue positive developments in 2022.

But the bad news is that the stress and trauma of the pandemic — and all of its related consequences on our professional and personal lives — will last for quite a while. In fact, some experts say that for some people the harmful effects may last for several years.

That brings us to June’s poll question: what are you doing to cope with stress?

Please share your tips, advice, insights, and experience. There is absolutely no limit to what you can share. For example, you may cope with stress by listening to music, playing an instrument, doing yoga, getting exercise, spending time with your beloved pet, meditating, watching your favorite TV shows or movies — or anything else.

Or perhaps you cope with stress by rigorously maintaining a work-life balance, or making sure that you eat healthily and stay hydrated. Whatever works for you, please share it with us.

In early July we’ll publish the full list, so that we can all add some new stress-relieving tips to our toolbox — because we’re definitely going to need them in the months and years ahead.

You Could Win

In addition to helping make the world a less stressed-out place, just by participating you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two $25 Amazon gift cards. We’ll announce the lucky winners when we share the results.

Thank you in advance for participating, and we look forward to your wise advice!