Granite Staters know how to chillax: Study finds we're 3rd-least stressed state

To determine the states with the highest stress levels, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 41 key metrics. (Courtesy photo)

With April being Stress Awareness Month and 83 percent of adults being stressed out by inflation, the personal-finance website WalletHub this week released its report on 2023's Most and Least Stressed States, as well as expert commentary.

To determine the states with the highest stress levels, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 41 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.

Stress Levels in New Hampshire (1=Most Stressed, 25=Avg.):

• 32^nd - Avg. Hours Worked per Week
• 36^th - Share of Adults Getting Adequate Sleep
• 48^th - % of Adults in Fair/Poor Health
• 20^th - Job Security
• 49^th - Median Credit Score
• 23^rd - Housing Affordability
• 50^th - % of Population Living in Poverty
• 27^th - Divorce Rate
• 49^th - Crime Rate per Capita
• 20^th - Psychologists per Capita

For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/most-stressed-states/32218

Expert Commentary

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

"There are lots of ways to fight stress without spending money. Stress is a psychological and biological response to feeling overwhelmed or out of control or threatened, or when life feels unpredictable. Stress in large doses, or over long periods can erode your mental and physical health. Some ways to fight these feelings could be creating a routine or building predictability into your life. But if the stressor is out of your control, there are still things you can do to dampen the effects of stress. Social support is a primary buffer against stress. Connect with loved ones, find someone who can empathize, and be there with you to listen or lend a helping hand. Being active (like going for daily walks or runs) and incorporating physical exercise into your life can also be a great way to reduce the harmful effects of stress biology. Meditation and yoga can also be good ways to introduce some calm into your life. You can find free yoga videos online or even just find a quiet place in your house and focus on an object. Any object will do. Notice its color, shape, size, and patterns. Just this simple focusing activity can be a form of meditation."
Leah C. Hibel - Professor; Center for Poverty Faculty Affiliate, University of California, Davis

"As inflation impacts the cost of consumer goods, exploring strategies for preventing or lowering stress without spending money becomes more important. Examples may include exercise, reading, or socializing with friends and family. If nearby parks are available, the act of going for a walk combines the benefits of being outdoors and low-impact exercise which can reduce stress. Walking around one's neighborhood to socialize with neighbors combines exercise with the potential to visit with family or neighbors and socialize. By utilizing nearby social supports one can potentially decrease stress levels through conversation with others. Other no-cost options include utilizing the nearest library to borrow books which can provide a way to decompress and engage in a temporary escape from our stress. Each community will have a unique set of resources available to its residents, and libraries are often a clearinghouse of local information about what is offered."
Scott Tobias, Ph.D., CFLE - Associate Professor, Kent State University at Stark

What steps can people take to reduce stress over finances?

"Many people feel stress when they perceive that their problems are out of their control. If your finances are causing you stress, make a plan on how to address the problem. Make a budget to get out of debt and stick to it. Even small steps to getting out from under this burden will make you feel better. If your debt burden is beyond a simple budget, contact your creditors and negotiate a different repayment schedule. Most creditors are happy to work with you. But the bottom line is to do something to work toward correcting your financial problems. It will reduce your distress. Doing nothing will only increase the stress you are feeling."
Joanne H. Gavin, Ph.D. - Professor, Marist College

"Take control of their finances and live within their means. They should not shy away from creating and sticking to a budget, they need to make one and do their best to stick with it. Everyone's budget is different and if you live within your means (e.g., an inexpensive car even though you might want your dream car), it will go a long way toward managing stress. Have a plan to reach your goals so that you are working toward something, which will help you feel good, knowing that your sacrifices in the short term will pay off in the long term."
Kelly Campbell, Ph.D. - Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs; Co-Chief Diversity Officer, California State University, San Bernardino

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

"Children can be particularly susceptible to stress because they have not learned or developed as many coping skills as adults. This means that caregivers often need to help their children manage stress. This will be highly dependent on a child's developmental abilities. For example, a toddler who is stressed (maybe by starting a new school, not getting enough sleep, or not being allowed to do something) might need some quiet time with just a caregiver singing, reading, or rocking the child. An older child might prefer to have active breaks from stressful homework or family life by playing soccer or basketball, a quiet break reading on their own, or a hug and cuddle from a loved one. An adolescent might want to talk about what is going on, and may just need someone to lend an ear, or maybe they prefer doing yoga or meditation, or exercise. The important thing is that the caregiver provides support by offering different ways to help calm the child."
Leah C. Hibel - Professor; Center for Poverty Faculty Affiliate, University of California, Davis

"Teach their children how to recognize, label, and regulate their emotions. Teach them that taking a time out is not a bad thing but a way to calm down and take deep breaths to feel better about stressful situations. Children like to be kept in the know, just as adults get to live their days with intention, children should be given the power and option to do that too, whenever possible. Warn kids about what you will be doing that day and build in choices for them when you can. Teach them good communication skills so they can express themselves and allow time for the parent to be on their own with each child where the goal is just to be together. The child will direct what they want to do with that time. Parents do not need to ask prying questions, just have the time to be together, which shows you care and allow the child to open up if they want to. If you do this repeatedly over time, the communication between parents and children should be good and allow the parents to provide needed resources to help solve problems raised by kids."
Kelly Campbell, Ph.D. - Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs; Co-Chief Diversity Officer, California State University, San Bernardino