Does keeping healthy, or trying to do so, stress the b-jinks out of you? The Australian Psychological Society’s (APS) 2012 Stress and Wellbeing Survey found that for 40 per cent of Aussies, it most certainly does.
In fact, 14 per cent deemed this a ‘significant’ source of stress.
The worst affected? Young people. Fifty two per cent of younger adults (18 – 25 year olds) reported that maintaining a healthy lifestyle was stressful, says the APS, with one in five (21 per cent) nominating it as substantially stressful.
“No matter what our age, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the multitude of health messages we are exposed to,” says Professor Lyn Littlefield, Executive Director of the APS.
“Many people in this [younger] age group will also be dating and trying to find a long-term partner so physical appearance is very important – and it becomes stressful if they are not achieving a certain body image.
“Social pressures to fit in with peers who may drink alcohol or smoke also make it more difficult and stressful to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”
The next biggest group of concern: women.
Forty seven per cent of those women surveyed said that trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle was stressful. By comparison, only one in three men reported that trying to stay fit and healthy was a source of stress.
While most of us know what we should be doing to improve our health, many of us don’t manage to start or if we do, it’s difficult to maintain the changes, Littlefield says.
She added that people often developed unhealthy habits that were built into their lifestyle and, hence, difficult to change. “Making healthy lifestyle change is not as simple as making a single decision.”
Littlefield said, “Psychological research tells us that it is a process requiring a number of steps, including planning and preparation, and strategies for maintenance.
“Understanding that change is a process that happens over time is important. It’s also vital to be flexible as any new regime takes time to establish – and relapse is normal. However, it’s important not to focus on what you didn’t do and become disappointed or disillusioned, but as soon as possible to return to your healthy behaviours.”
Other key findings of the APS Stress and Wellbeing Survey include:
Are you feeling the pressure to be healthy?
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