It is depressing how depressed we are. According to a recent study by the Pew Research center 58 percent of Americans aged 18 to 29 reported experiencing psychological distress since March 2020. Parents list their children struggling with anxiety or depression as their number one concern. Bullying is second. The crisis is real and the pandemic has not helped. We see it in our classrooms and in our communities. It is troubling, concerning, and in far too many instances tragic.
The data is also puzzling because by many objective measures of well being humanity has much to celebrate. We are better educated, more prosperous, healthier, and safer than the vast majority of human beings that have ever lived. Modern American society is far from a utopia but at first glance the data appears to present an interesting paradox:
How can so many, with so much, be so unwell?
Welcome to Give & Get Joy: A podcast dedicated to helping people lead lives filled with meaning, purpose, and happiness. We are the Chaput's, a husband and wife team committed to promoting positivity, self-reflection, and optimism. Life is too short and too hard to live bogged down in feelings of negativity and doubt. For the last decade as teachers and coaches we have dedicated our lives to empowering young people to recognize their value and realize their potential. Now we hope to empower you by sharing with you a series of concepts and lessons that we call practical happiness.
Practical happiness is exactly what it sounds like. Simple, accessible ideas and actions that we can all implement on a daily basis to improve our lives. In the show notes we will link our website where you can access the blog and additional resources. Life is a team effort and we hope you join us as we work together to become better people living happier lives.
Let start with a question:
What is causing Americans so much stress and unhappiness?
Faced with this question we did what our students would do and asked ChatGPT. Interestingly enough, according to the algorithm, sources of a person’s anxiety and stress are age dependent.
Here are the top 10 issues plaguing young people:
1. Academic Pressure: High expectations, intense competition, and the pressure to excel academically can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression in young individuals.
2. Family Issues: Conflict within the family, such as parental divorce or separation, domestic violence, neglect, or substance abuse, can significantly impact a young person's mental well-being.
3. Peer Pressure and Social Challenges: Adolescents and young adults often face pressure to conform to peer expectations, fit in socially, and navigate complex relationships. Bullying, exclusion, or feelings of isolation can contribute to psychological distress.
4. Traumatic Experiences: Exposure to traumatic events such as physical or sexual abuse, violence, accidents, or natural disasters can have lasting psychological effects and contribute to distress.
5. Emotional and Identity Development: The process of self-discovery, grappling with identity formation, and hormonal changes during adolescence can lead to emotional turbulence and stress.
6. Substance Abuse: Substance use, including alcohol and drugs, is a common coping mechanism for young people experiencing distress. However, it can exacerbate mental health problems and create a vicious cycle.
7. Economic Hardships: Financial difficulties within the family, poverty, or lack of access to basic needs and opportunities can create stress and negatively impact a young person's mental health.
8. Societal Expectations and Media Influences: Unrealistic beauty standards, societal expectations, and the constant exposure to media, including social media, can contribute to low self-esteem, body image issues, and psychological distress.
9. Chronic Illness or Disability: Young individuals coping with chronic illnesses or disabilities may face unique challenges and may experience higher levels of psychological distress due to their condition and the limitations it imposes.
10. Cultural and Minority Stress: Discrimination, prejudice, and marginalization based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity can result in psychological distress in young people.”
We then asked Chat GPT the same question but dropped the qualifier for young people.
Here is the top 10 sources of stress and unhappiness for the “non - young” cohort:
“1. Relationship issues: Problems in personal relationships, such as conflicts, lack of communication, infidelity, or the breakdown of a romantic partnership, can lead to unhappiness.
2. Loss and grief: Experiencing the loss of a loved one, whether through death or a breakup, can cause profound sadness and unhappiness. Grieving is a natural response to loss.
3. Financial difficulties: Struggling with financial instability, debt, job loss, or the inability to meet basic needs can create stress and unhappiness.
4. Health challenges: Chronic illness, physical pain, disability, or mental health disorders can significantly impact a person's well-being and contribute to feelings of unhappiness.
5. Lack of fulfillment: Feeling unfulfilled in one's personal or professional life can lead to unhappiness. This may include dissatisfaction with a career, lack of purpose, or feeling stuck in a rut.
6. Loneliness and isolation: Social isolation, lack of meaningful connections, or the absence of a support network can result in unhappiness and feelings of loneliness.
7. Comparison and self-esteem issues: Constantly comparing oneself to others and feeling inadequate can contribute to unhappiness. Low self-esteem, poor body image, and a sense of not measuring up can also be sources of distress.
8. Stress and being overwhelmed: An excessive amount of stress, whether from work, family responsibilities, or other life demands, can lead to unhappiness and feelings of being overwhelmed.
9. Unhealthy lifestyle habits: Unhappiness can arise from engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as substance abuse, poor diet, lack of exercise, or inadequate self-care.
10. Negative thinking patterns: Pervasive negative thinking, self-criticism, and a focus on the negative aspects of life can contribute to unhappiness.”
We noticed some themes that we will unpack in detail in coming episodes. Three stand out in particular. First, relationships are really important for human beings, after all we are social animals. Second, for many people physical and mental health impacts their self image, thus coloring their thoughts and interactions. Lastly, financial hardship and insecurity seem to be correlated with stress and unhappiness.
Each week we will present a life lesson that seeks to alleviate, mitigate, or at least diminish a source of stress in your life. We are eager to interact with you and address the issues that you are working through. Also, if you have a concept that has helped you increase your happiness and or deal with hardships and challenges in life we want to hear about that too!
Welcome again to Give & Get Joy, the place where we strive to choose happiness.
XO
Kenz & Wes
Bibliography
Gramlich, John. "Mental health and the pandemic: What U.S. surveys have found." Pew Research Center. Last modified March 2, 2023. Accessed June 20, 2023. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/03/02/mental-health-and-the-pandemic-what-u-s-surveys-have-found/.
MINKIN, RACHEL MINKIN, and JULIANA MENASCE HOROWITZ. "Parenting in America Today." Pew Research Center. Last modified January 24, 2023. Accessed June 20, 2023. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/01/24/parenting-in-america-today/.
Pinker, Steven. Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress. New York: Penguin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, 2019.
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