According to a new study out of the UK, women experience more stress than men when they go through the same life events. As reported by EurekAlert!, “life events such as death of a loved one, illness, losing their smartphone and Brexit” were far more psychologically impactful events for women than men.
In the study, 2,000 people self-reported their stress levels in relation to common life events, and on the whole, women’s responses were higher. Young and more highly educated people reported greater experiences of stress for their experiences with Brexit, and the most stressed members of the study were from Scotland. What’s going on over there, fam? Let us help!
We may talk about it all the time day to day, but stress (especially when it’s experienced for long periods of time) is nothing to joke about. “During stress, the body prepares for action by releasing hormones into the bloodstream, which affects the heart as well as digestive and immune systems,” according to EurekAlert!. “Frequent and prolonged stress can cause long term physiological problems in the body.”
There was one significant finding from the study that was certainly unique to Britain: “The East of England was notably upset by delays in their commutes.” “Notably upset.” Does that not sound like the most adorably British thing ever? I’m surely being offensive when I say this, but I read that in my head in an English accent and pretend I’m holding a fancy teacup and have a white lace handkerchief hanging out of my sleeve.
We can take some degree of comfort in knowing that we all feel the same way about the things that stress us out. “Some stressful events seemingly never change, with participants singling out ‘family arguments at Christmas,’” according to the study. Honestly, that's me. Not even in dealing with the arguments, just in anticipating the very stress. It’s all compounded.
The consequences of high stress levels are serious. “Elevated levels of hormones can a ect normal bodily processes leading to insomnia, depression, and problems with sexual function,” according to the study. Yeah, no thanks.
What does this mean for women’s overall health? Women’s lifespans? The relationships women develop? All I know is science and medicine better figure out exactly how to address these problems as women particularly experience them, and the world better stop trying to overwork us.
