A recent survey by the market research institute Marketagent shows the widespread burden of stress on the Austrian population. The representative study examines the causes of stress, its effects on health and strategies for coping with stress. What is particularly alarming is that one in four respondents see themselves as being at high risk of burnout, and in the group with high stress levels, the figure is as high as 63 percent.
The most common stress factors include professional demands (36 percent), time pressure (35 percent), financial worries (31 percent) and family obligations (31 percent). Young people are particularly badly affected: almost half of 14- to 29-year-olds (48 percent) see school and professional demands as the main cause of stress. People with care or support responsibilities also report significantly higher stress levels than average.
The survey also shows that stress often causes long-term physical problems. Around 69 percent of those surveyed suffer from consequences such as sleep disorders, headaches or back pain. Irritability and impatience (53 percent) are also common reactions. The participants named sufficient sleep and time in nature as the most effective strategies for dealing with stress, with around half of those surveyed actively implementing these measures.
The need for social action is particularly evident in the area of prevention. Almost 80 percent of those surveyed demand that stress management be a permanent feature in schools and companies. Thomas Schwabl, Managing Director of Marketagent, stresses the importance of preventive measures and greater support for particularly stressed groups.
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