Germany stress levels rise as survey shows increased burnout

A survey conducted by the health insurance provider KKH among 1,000 adults in Germany reveals rising levels of stress. Approximately 54 percent of respondents report feeling more stressed than they did one to two years ago.

The psychological and physical consequences are significant: 61 percent of participants report fatigue or sleep disturbances, 57 percent feel exhausted or burnt out, and more than one-third struggle with low mood or depressive symptoms. Despite nearly 70 percent acknowledging the importance of long-term health prevention, only 33 percent actually take time for self-care during stressful periods.

Factors contributing to this trend include the current social climate, such as war, climate change, rising prices, and constant exposure to crisis news. Additionally, research highlights a biological link between chronic stress and health risks, noting that inflammation markers like GlycA are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes.