“How Stressed is Ireland?” Survey 2024 – results reveal money the top cause of worry for people right now 

A third of patients visiting GP coming with stress released issues 

The “How Stressed is Ireland?” Survey 2024 has revealed that many people suffer with stress on a regular basis, with females and those under the age of 35 the most affected. 

• 64% claim that they feel stressed weekly or more often. This rises to 8 in 10 among those aged under 35, this is also more prominent among females
• One in four claim they feel stressed at least once a day. This rises to 34% among those aged under 35
• Running is claimed to be the top activity to alleviate stress, which is more popular among males and under 35s
• Money is the most cited cause of stress, with nearly 8 in 10 (78%) claiming it causes them stress. This is more common among those aged under 55. Family life causes more stress for females or those aged between 35-54. And health issues cause more stress among the 55+ age cohort
• 56% claim they feel more stressed in the run up to Christmas time and this rises to 62% among females and the same among those aged 35-54
• Stress affects mood for over 7 in 10 (71%), particularly among females (77%), it disturbs sleep for over 6 in 10 (61%), particularly among females (68%)
• Multivitamins and vitamin D are most popular for managing stress, with Probiotics being taken by 11%.

The survey by Zenflore of over 1,000 adults shows that two out of three (64%) people feel stressed weekly or more often, with one in four being affected at least once a day. This rises to one in three among the under 35 age group. Six in ten people say stress disturbs their sleep, while 71% of those surveyed said it affects their mood. Isolation and a lack of focus were among some of the other common side effects. 

Commenting on the findings, Cork based GP Dr Phil Kieran says that a third of his patients currently visiting the surgery are coming with stress related issues.

“A small amount of stress can be a good thing and can help with productivity, but too much stress can be very damaging. Stress, or stress related complaints account for at least a third of the daily workload of GPs. Symptoms like anxiety and fatigue are made worse by stress. If you find that you’re suffering from stress on a continuous basis and to the point where it’s affecting your sleep, your performance at work, and day to day life in general, then it’s very important to address this and see what changes you can make to try and reduce your stress levels. Exercise, sleep and eating well have all been shown to reduce stress but it’s always good to speak to a medical professional if you feel overwhelmed.”

Sleep expert Tom Coleman said he’s not surprised by the statistics surrounding stress and sleep:

“I work with clients from all walks of life, including those in the corporate world, and the majority of time they will cite stress as a huge factor in lying awake at night. But it’s a vicious circle as sleep deprived people are also more likely to feel stressed.  The same systems that control sleep also control or regulate stress, so they work in tandem with one another. Getting into a good nighttime routine helps massively – putting away electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime, blocking out light, regular exercise and meditation are just some of the ways in which we can get into a better frame of mind and feel less stressful getting into bed, as well as sleeping better when we do.”

Money is the biggest cause of stress, affecting 78% of respondents, particularly among those aged under 55 and those with children.  Family life is a big stressor for females in the 35-54 age group. The festive season is another cause of worry, with over half of people saying they feel more stressed in the run up to Christmas. 

Other causes of stress include health issues, working life, partners and friends. One in three people said social media sometimes causes them stress, with this rising to almost half among under 35s.

Running has been cited as the best way to combat stress, and this is particularly popular among males under 35. Other popular exercises to boost mood include mediation, cycling and yoga. Multivitamins and Vitamin D are the most popular stress boosting supplements while just over one in ten people take a probiotic. 

Source: Opinions Market Research conducted this research on behalf of Zenflore/PrecisionBiotics. n=1,002 nationally representative sample. The error margin for this data is estimated at +/- 3.1%