Managing stress in turbulent times, with Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, and Georges C. Benjamin, MD
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This special episode of Speaking of Psychology explores the profound impact of chronic societal stress on individual and community health, featuring APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr. and APHA CEO Georges C. Benjamin. Drawing on data from the 2025 Stress in America survey, the hosts highlight that 62% of U.S. adults cite societal division as a major stressor, with three-quarters reporting increased anxiety about the nation's future. The conversation reveals how prolonged stress activates the body’s physiological response—elevating cortisol, increasing inflammation, disrupting sleep, and contributing to long-term health issues like cardiovascular disease and immune dysfunction. Both mental and physical health are deeply intertwined with social determinants such as housing instability, food insecurity, and economic precarity, which disproportionately affect vulnerable groups like parents, farmers, and frontline healthcare workers. The guests emphasize that stress is not just personal but systemic, requiring collective and policy-level solutions. Practical strategies for managing stress include cognitive reframing, prioritizing sleep and nutrition, building social support, engaging in enjoyable activities, and setting boundaries with technology. They also stress the importance of protecting caregivers by ensuring rest, fair compensation, and mental health breaks. While acknowledging that sustained stress may be the new normal, the episode ends on a hopeful note: with intentional, consistent self-care and systemic change, individuals and communities can build resilience and thrive despite turbulent times.
Chronic societal stress activates the body’s stress response, leading to long-term physical and mental health consequences like cardiovascular disease, depression, and immune dysfunction.
Social determinants such as housing instability, food insecurity, and economic precarity disproportionately increase stress for vulnerable populations like parents and farmers.
Cognitive reframing, social connection, regular exercise, good sleep, and engaging in enjoyable activities are powerful, evidence-based tools for managing stress.
Frontline healthcare and public health workers are especially vulnerable to burnout; systemic support—including rest, fair pay, and mental health breaks—is essential.
Taking time off for self-care is not laziness—it’s a necessary practice for maintaining performance, creativity, and well-being.
…and 1 more takeaway available in PodZeus
The Epidemic of Societal Stress
“Living with this stress... can pose real threats to individuals and communities' health and well-being.”
How Stress Affects the Body and Mind
“You get elevated cortisol levels, increased inflammation, your sleep gets disrupted. And over time, you get that and cause increases for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and ultimately immune dysfunction.”
Structural Inequities and Disproportionate Burden
The discussion turns to how structural factors like economic precarity, housing instability, and job-specific stressors (e.g., farmers’ suicide rates) create unequal stress exposure. Dr. Evans highlights how marginalized groups experience stress more intensely due to systemic barriers.
Practical Tools for Personal Resilience
“When was the last time you did something you really love? Often it would sometimes be not months but sometimes years.”
Supporting the Caregivers
“We need to make sure that we're taking care of them as well because they're under enormous stress.”
“You get elevated cortisol levels, increased inflammation, your sleep gets disrupted. And over time, you get that and cause increases for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and ultimately immune dysfunction.”
“Taking a day off is not being lazy. Taking a day off is actually helping you to sharpen your act so you can do your work more efficiently.”
“80% of what makes you healthy occurs outside the doctor's office.”
Host
Guests
Arthur C. Evans Jr.
person
Georges C. Benjamin
person
American Psychological Association
organization
American Public Health Association
organization
Stress in America Survey
other
Farmers
other
Cortisol
other
Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health
organization
Allostatic Load
other
University of Pennsylvania
organization
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