Why do something about it?

With the full-speed-ahead lifestyles of today, it’s no surprise that stress is a constant companion.
In the daily whirlwind, we don’t always make our well-being a priority. We accumulate stress, we forget to take care both of ourselves and of our relationships with others. In the long run, that can lead to discomforts, uneasiness and even illnesses like depression and anxiety. Learning to manage our stress is therefore vital for maintaining our wellness.

The following statistics make it clear: learning to manage stress is vital to staying balanced.

Some statistics

Quebecers, more than other Canadians, claim they experience elevated stress levels in their everyday life and at work. In fact:

• In 2007¹ , more than 1 in 4 Quebecers (26%) felt they experienced high stress levels daily. This represents the highest percentage among all Canadian provinces, for which the average is 22%.
• In 2005² , more than 1 in 3 Quebecers (37%) declared that they experienced high stress levels at work. Quebec also surpassed other Canadian provinces in this regard, bringing the Canadian average up to 29%.

The consequences of high stress

High stress levels, especially when experienced repeatedly or over prolonged periods of time, can entrench a state of imbalance and have a negative impact on your body and mind, such as:

• a rise in cholesterol levels, blood pressure and, in turn, the risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke
• lifestyle habits that are not helpful: we don’t eat well during stressful periods (often too much or not enough), we exercise less, we sleep less and we may abuse alcohol, cigarettes or drugs
• an increased risk of being stuck with mental health problems like depression or anxiety
• a lowering of the immune defense system, and therefore less resistance to illness

1. Statistics Canada. Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), 2007. Table 105-0501: CCHS indicator profile, by age group and sex, Canada, provinces, territories, health regions (2007 boundaries) and peer groups, annual.2. Bordeleau, M. et Traoré, I. Santé générale, santé mentale et stress au Québec, «Zoom santé». Institut de la statistique du Québec, 2007.

The “Wellness and stress” section was produced in collaboration with the Canadian Mental Health Association and thanks to the support of