Most Americans worried about the future of the country, survey says

Most Americans worried about the future of the country, survey says


When you lie in bed at night, staring at the ceiling, what keeps you awake? Money? If so, you’re among the 62 percent of Americans who report in a recent survey being stressed about their financial future.

While money and work typically lead the list in the annual Stress in America survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, they did not top the chart this time. Even more people, 63 percent, are worried about the future of our country.

A majority of the 3,440 respondents say this the lowest point in our nation’s history that they can remember. Consider: These people span multiple generations, including those who lived through Pearl Harbor and World War II, the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The survey found millennials were most concerned about the economy while health care topped the list for Gen Xers, ages 39 to 52, and Baby Boomers, ages 53 to 71. Older respondents were most worried about trust in the government.

Two-thirds of the adults said they worry about crime, specifically terrorism and gun violence. The cost of health care was cited by 66 percent of the people, with 60 percent worried about being able to afford health insurance.

In the true American spirit, people are not wallowing in woe. More than half of those surveyed said the current state of affairs is prompting them to volunteer or support causes by signing petitions or boycotting a company or product in protest. And 53 percent say they are dealing with stress by exercising more and eating a healthier diet.

Despite all of the divisiveness, 87 percent of the people agreed on one thing: a desire for everyone to take a deep breath and calm down.

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