Austrians in Constant Stress: Study Raises Alarm

The stress level in Austria has significantly increased over the past year. According to the "Stress Study 2025" presented on Thursday by the health provider "Mavie," 70 percent of respondents reported being often or very often stressed - an increase of 16 percentage points compared to 2024. Work is cited as the main stress factor by 54 percent, followed by finances (25 percent) and family (18 percent), as stated at a press conference.

Too Much Work, Too Little Rest: Stress Becomes a Common Ailment

According to Lukas Mayrl, CEO of "Mavie Next," 40 percent of the 385 respondents stated that their stress level had increased in the past one to two years. The health consequences are correspondingly high: almost every second person rates their own mental health condition as poor or very poor.

"Short-term stress can be a good motivator," said Barbara Veigl-Trouvain, psychosocial counselor at "Mavie Work." It becomes problematic when stress becomes chronic. Then, the constant strain can quickly become a health problem. This was also reflected in the survey. As consequences of stress, respondents reported: irritability (49 percent), sleep disorders (42 percent), overwhelm (34 percent), and headaches (33 percent). Women are more affected by stress-related complaints than men.

Exercise to Reduce Stress

To reduce stress, respondents primarily relied on exercise (56 percent), time for themselves (54 percent), and conversations with family and friends (45 percent). Professional support such as counseling or therapy is currently used by only one-fifth. However, the younger generation is particularly open to professional help.

"It is crucial to implement low-threshold and preventive measures in a timely manner that help people strengthen their mental health and better cope with stress," emphasized Veigl-Trouvain. Employers are also obliged to create effective offers, according to "Mavie Work" CEO Christoph Schnedlitz: "Chronic stress reduces performance and makes employees sick in the long term."

(APA/Red)

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