A prolonged federal government shutdown, large-scale federal job cuts and tariff-driven price pressure are straining more than the economy — they’re weighing on Americans’ mental and physical health.

Recent American Psychological Association surveys show that job insecurity, financial instability and high living costs are among the top sources of worker stress. When that kind of pressure persists, it chips away at both health and focus. That’s why recognizing and managing stress early is essential.

Stress levels are high worldwide. Economic uncertainty, armed conflicts and climate-related disruptions are contributing to rising anxiety and instability across the globe, according to international health and risk reports. International Stress Awareness Day on Nov. 6 is a timely reminder that stress is a public health concern and paying attention to it is the first step toward improving well-being.

Why is Stress Awareness Important?

Stress touches every part of life, yet many people underestimate its impact until symptoms build up. The National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that chronic stress contributes to inflammation, high blood pressure, and a greater risk of depression and heart disease. Understanding those links is the first step toward change. When people understand how stress affects their health, that awareness can turn into action that protects both mental and physical well-being.

How Chronic Stress Harms Our Bodies

Short bursts of stress can sharpen focus and help us perform under pressure. But when it becomes constant, the body’s alarm system never shuts off. According to Weill Cornell Medicine, long-term exposure to stress hormones keeps the heart working harder, raises blood pressure, and weakens the immune system. Persistent tension also interferes with sleep, digestion, and mood, and can worsen conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and depression.

Learning how to interrupt that cycle through relaxation, movement, and social connection helps restore balance and protect long-term health, Weill Cornell experts noted.

How to Manage Stress (in Life / at Work)

For many adults, the biggest pressures start at work — and follow them home. According to APA’s 2025 Work in America Survey, more than half of respondents (54%) said job insecurity is having a significant impact on workers’ stress levels, and 70% of employees whose companies were affected by government policy changes said those changes have drastically or significantly increased their stress.

Those findings underscore the need for stress awareness. Setting limits, speaking up about workload and practicing everyday stress-relief can help safeguard both mental health and productivity

How to Reduce Stress and Anxiety in Daily Life

You can’t turn off outside events, but you can lower how intensely your body reacts to them. These steps can help:

Practice relaxation strategies. Sit quietly and slow and deepen your breathing. Meditation, yoga or guided imagery help the nervous system shift out of “on alert.”
Move your body. Regular movement burns off stress hormones and lifts mood.
Prioritize sleep. Stress and poor sleep feed each other. Click here to learn more.
Limit alcohol. It can make stress feel worse the next day and disrupt sleep.
Connect. Talking with someone you trust is still one of the best stress-coping strategies.

For more ways to build resilience, see NewBridge’s article, Managing Stress in an Uncertain World.

Stress Awareness Tips

Notice early signs: tension, headaches, irritability, poor focus.
Check what’s in your control today.
Step away from doomscrolling.
Take short outdoor breaks if possible.
Write down worries instead of rehearsing them.

Seeking help for stress

If stress has begun to interfere with sleep, concentration, relationships or physical health, it’s time to get extra support. NewBridge Services offers counseling that helps people identify triggers and build healthier coping skills. Contact our Access Department at 973-316-9333 or Services@NewBridge.org.

Stress is a natural response that can help us stay alert and productive, but when it lingers, it can undermine our health. Recognizing when that line is crossed is key to staying well.