Key findings <\/h2>\n\n\n\n- A third of Americans report skin problems due to stress.<\/li>
- Breakouts are the number-one stress-related skin problem.<\/li>
- Most Americans (85 percent) simplify their beauty routines when they\u2019re stressed.<\/li>
- Easy maintenance is the number-one hairstyling priority.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Stress symptoms affect the whole body<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A jam-packed schedule and difficult life events can have major effects on how your body feels, even if other people can\u2019t tell. Of those surveyed, 80 percent of Americans told us they experience changes in energy levels due to stress, and 49 percent reported trouble with digestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"how](\"https:\/\/www.styleseat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-stress-affects-health.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe asked Americans to tell us which specific invisible stress symptoms they experience \u2014 ones that people around don\u2019t normally notice \u2014 and found the most prevalent symptoms are headaches (59 percent), muscle tension (54 percent), muscle fatigue (38 percent) and bloating (25 percent).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Muscle aches and pains tend to affect older Americans more than younger ones. When it comes to older Americans, 52 percent of Baby Boomers and Gen Xers say muscle tension is their worst symptom compared to 40 percent of their younger counterparts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stress has a major impact on hair and skin health <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to visible stress side effects \u2014 ones that are more obvious to those around you \u2014 Americans reported that skin problems were the most common symptoms. Nearly a third (32 percent) of Americans report skin issues due to stress. In addition, 16 percent report hair problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"stress](\"https:\/\/www.styleseat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/stress-skin-hair-problems.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe most common, specific <\/strong>visible symptoms of stress are breakouts (31 percent), hair thinning (17 percent), dry skin (14 percent), and dull skin (10 percent). Women are especially prone to breakouts when they\u2019re stressed \u2014 42 percent of women report stress-related breakouts, versus 20 percent of men.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThanks to increased levels of stress, Americans\u2019 skin woes are getting worse. About a third (32 percent) of Americans report more breakouts this past year. Women are especially prone to increased breakouts, with 40 percent saying they\u2019ve had more in the past year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It turns out that hair loss is actually on the rise, too: 1 in 5 Americans report more stress-related hair loss this year, and 1 in 5 Americans report more stress-related hair loss in the past year. Just as they\u2019re struggling with more skin problems, women are also losing more hair than they ever have before, with 24 percent of women reporting increased hair loss this year compared to 14 percent of men. Those losing more hair are particularly stressed about their health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The visible stress side effects that bother Americans the most<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We know that stress can manifest in a variety of ways, but which ones bother Americans the most?\\<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Breakouts, bloating, and hair thinning are the top three complaints. More women (30 percent) than men (18 percent) say breakouts are their worst stress side effects, and more complain about hair thinning, too. Of women, 22 percent say their most bothersome stress symptom is hair thinning versus 12 percent of men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"the](\"https:\/\/www.styleseat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/most-bothersome-visible-stress-symptoms.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMany Americans try to manage stress at its source<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Whether the symptoms of stress are visible or invisible, many of the solutions work from the inside out. We learned a majority of Americans manage stress through basic lifestyle shifts like more sleep (69 percent), exercise (60 percent), and hydration (53 percent).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, stress management differs from person to person \u2014 you have to find what method works for you. Men tend to exercise more (64 percent) than women (55 percent), while women are more likely to change their diets (32 percent vs. 26 percent), drink more water (57 percent vs. 49 percent), and even take targeted vitamins and supplements (40 percent vs. 33 percent). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some Americans (14 percent) have also tried professional bodywork to relieve their stress. Among those, massage (86 percent), sauna (22 percent), and steaming (14 percent) are the most popular choices, and 89 percent said these kinds of treatments were effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Americans simplify beauty routines when stressed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ve probably heard the old advice that \u201cless is more\u201d when it comes to caring for upset skin. Most Americans (85 percent) simplify their beauty routines when they’re stressed, opting for fewer or milder products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most popular at-home skin treatments for stress are more, or heavier, moisturizer (35 percent), gentle exfoliation (28 percent), and skin-boosting supplements (25 percent). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on where you live, you may have specialized beauty services available<\/a> nearby. Of those who have sought professional help to soothe stressed skin, 72 percent have had facials, 22 percent have had scrubs, and 20 percent have even had laser treatments. Most of those who have sought professional help (86 percent) say these treatments are effective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Americans\u2019](\"https:\/\/www.styleseat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/stress-beauty-routines.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStressed hair needs TLC, too. Sometimes, fewer washes can help restore some balance on your scalp. A third of Americans shampoo their hair less often when they\u2019re dealing with stress symptoms. Just like hydration helps your body and skin, more moisture can also help hair, too. Just over a quarter (26 percent) of Americans use leave-in conditioner<\/a> to combat hair stress, and 17 percent use hair oil. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHow you cut and style your hair can have a major impact on its overall health and appearance. Of the women we surveyed, 50 percent have gone to get a new hairstyle since salons have reopened after COVID-19 shutdowns. The main reason for new styles these days is easy maintenance (47 percent). When we asked which was more important \u2014 ease or trendiness \u2014 95 percent of Americans chose easy maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stress symptoms affect the whole body<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A jam-packed schedule and difficult life events can have major effects on how your body feels, even if other people can\u2019t tell. Of those surveyed, 80 percent of Americans told us they experience changes in energy levels due to stress, and 49 percent reported trouble with digestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We asked Americans to tell us which specific invisible stress symptoms they experience \u2014 ones that people around don\u2019t normally notice \u2014 and found the most prevalent symptoms are headaches (59 percent), muscle tension (54 percent), muscle fatigue (38 percent) and bloating (25 percent).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Muscle aches and pains tend to affect older Americans more than younger ones. When it comes to older Americans, 52 percent of Baby Boomers and Gen Xers say muscle tension is their worst symptom compared to 40 percent of their younger counterparts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to visible stress side effects \u2014 ones that are more obvious to those around you \u2014 Americans reported that skin problems were the most common symptoms. Nearly a third (32 percent) of Americans report skin issues due to stress. In addition, 16 percent report hair problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common, specific <\/strong>visible symptoms of stress are breakouts (31 percent), hair thinning (17 percent), dry skin (14 percent), and dull skin (10 percent). Women are especially prone to breakouts when they\u2019re stressed \u2014 42 percent of women report stress-related breakouts, versus 20 percent of men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks to increased levels of stress, Americans\u2019 skin woes are getting worse. About a third (32 percent) of Americans report more breakouts this past year. Women are especially prone to increased breakouts, with 40 percent saying they\u2019ve had more in the past year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It turns out that hair loss is actually on the rise, too: 1 in 5 Americans report more stress-related hair loss this year, and 1 in 5 Americans report more stress-related hair loss in the past year. Just as they\u2019re struggling with more skin problems, women are also losing more hair than they ever have before, with 24 percent of women reporting increased hair loss this year compared to 14 percent of men. Those losing more hair are particularly stressed about their health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We know that stress can manifest in a variety of ways, but which ones bother Americans the most?\\<\/p>\n\n\n\n Breakouts, bloating, and hair thinning are the top three complaints. More women (30 percent) than men (18 percent) say breakouts are their worst stress side effects, and more complain about hair thinning, too. Of women, 22 percent say their most bothersome stress symptom is hair thinning versus 12 percent of men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether the symptoms of stress are visible or invisible, many of the solutions work from the inside out. We learned a majority of Americans manage stress through basic lifestyle shifts like more sleep (69 percent), exercise (60 percent), and hydration (53 percent).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, stress management differs from person to person \u2014 you have to find what method works for you. Men tend to exercise more (64 percent) than women (55 percent), while women are more likely to change their diets (32 percent vs. 26 percent), drink more water (57 percent vs. 49 percent), and even take targeted vitamins and supplements (40 percent vs. 33 percent). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some Americans (14 percent) have also tried professional bodywork to relieve their stress. Among those, massage (86 percent), sauna (22 percent), and steaming (14 percent) are the most popular choices, and 89 percent said these kinds of treatments were effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve probably heard the old advice that \u201cless is more\u201d when it comes to caring for upset skin. Most Americans (85 percent) simplify their beauty routines when they’re stressed, opting for fewer or milder products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most popular at-home skin treatments for stress are more, or heavier, moisturizer (35 percent), gentle exfoliation (28 percent), and skin-boosting supplements (25 percent). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on where you live, you may have specialized beauty services available<\/a> nearby. Of those who have sought professional help to soothe stressed skin, 72 percent have had facials, 22 percent have had scrubs, and 20 percent have even had laser treatments. Most of those who have sought professional help (86 percent) say these treatments are effective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stressed hair needs TLC, too. Sometimes, fewer washes can help restore some balance on your scalp. A third of Americans shampoo their hair less often when they\u2019re dealing with stress symptoms. Just like hydration helps your body and skin, more moisture can also help hair, too. Just over a quarter (26 percent) of Americans use leave-in conditioner<\/a> to combat hair stress, and 17 percent use hair oil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How you cut and style your hair can have a major impact on its overall health and appearance. Of the women we surveyed, 50 percent have gone to get a new hairstyle since salons have reopened after COVID-19 shutdowns. The main reason for new styles these days is easy maintenance (47 percent). When we asked which was more important \u2014 ease or trendiness \u2014 95 percent of Americans chose easy maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStress has a major impact on hair and skin health <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe visible stress side effects that bother Americans the most<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMany Americans try to manage stress at its source<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Americans simplify beauty routines when stressed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n