The number of Americans stressed about the election and its aftermath has risen sharply, according to a report released Wednesday.
The American Psychological Association (APA) poll, conducted between Jan. 4-19, revealed that 57% of adult Americans consider the current political climate to be a significant source of stress. That’s up from 52% of Americans who felt the same in August. Americans also felt increasingly more stressed, with people on average reporting that their stress levels rose from 4.8 to 5.1 (out of 10) between August and January. The increase is the fastest rise on record since the APA’s Stress in America survey first began in 2007, the report stated.
Additionally, 72% of Democrats thought the outcome of the election was a significant source of stress, while just 26% of Republicans said the same, the study found. Still, adult Republicans weren’t exactly worry free: 59% said the future of the nation was a significant source of stress. That compares to 76% of Democrats, according to the study.
“For many, the transition of power and the speed of change can cause uncertainty and feelings of stress, and that stress can have health consequences. If the 24-hour news cycle is causing you stress, limit your media consumption,” Katherine Nordal, APA’s executive director for professional practice, said in a statement. “Read enough to stay informed but then plan activities that give you a regular break from the issues and the stress they might cause. And remember to take care of yourself and pay attention to other areas of your life.”
The January study polled 1,019 people residing in the U.S. over the age of 18. The August study was conducted among 3,511 people.