What’s Plaguing American Adults

Rising Stress Levels Increases Cases of Battered Career Syndrome

Cases of Battered Career Syndrome® are skyrocketing, sending stress levels through the roof as American workers learn to navigate the new normal.

The outbreak of COVID-19 caused the stock market to take a nosedive and eroded many Americans’ job security. In addition to coping with stay-at-home orders and new social distancing guidelines, more Americans are concerned about whether they will have to join the 50 million Americans standing in the unemployment line.

Nearly 7 in 10 workers claim the pandemic is the most stressful time of their professional career — even more than major events like 9/11 and the 2008 Great Recession, according to Ginger, a mental health provider. More than half of Americans report they are more stressed in May than they were in January before the virus was perceived as a widespread threat, according to a survey conducted by Harvard Medical School and the University of North Carolina. In addition to increased stress, the pandemic is taking a toll on the overall well-being of Americans. The UNC poll revealed 58 percent of respondents were frustrated by not being able to enjoy their usual activities, and 53 percent said they were bored.

“Battered Career Syndrome® is an epidemic in corporate America. This year, increased levels of stress paralyze people from making changes in their lives and taking ownership of their career,” said Terry Powell, Visionary Founder of The Entrepreneur’s Source®, the nation’s leading career ownership franchise.

Achieve fulfillment and put an end to your bruised and battered corporate role by following a path to self-sufficiency.

At a time when the pandemic has made health top-of-mind among most Americans, kicking stress to the curb can improve both your mental and physical health. According to the  National Institute of Mental Health, stress can cause digestive symptoms, headaches, anger, and insomnia, as well as more serious physical issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression. A survey from the American Psychological Association conducted by Harris Poll reported the average stress level for U.S. adults related to the coronavirus pandemic on a scale from 1 to 10 was 5.9. This is significantly higher than the 4.9 average stress level reported in the 2019 Annual Stress in America survey and marked the first significant increase in average reported stress since the survey began in 2007.

The Entrepreneur’s Source® offers career ownership coaching to help individuals end Battered Career Syndrome and pave their own path to self-sufficiency.

The Entrepreneur’s Source® has more than 35 years of experience helping people discover ownership. Career Ownership Coaches™ work with individuals to help them achieve their goals to reach a point of clarity about their career.

Starting Your Career 2.0® begins with discovering your Income, Lifestyle, Wealth, and Equity goals with a Career Ownership Coach™. Finding the answers to these goals is key to developing a future plan.

Income. At least half of U.S. workers didn’t receive a pay boost in 2019, according to Bankrate’s December Financial Security Poll. Corporate America is forcing many Americans to work more for less money, and the disproportionate salary increases stress. Understanding your short-term income goals is key.

Lifestyle. Stay-at-home orders forced American families to curtail activities and spend time together. While many Americans miss their active lives prior to quarantine, an increase in family time has given many people a taste for a simpler lifestyle. If you want a career that affords family dinners and holiday trips, finding a role that offers work-life balance is important.

Wealth and Equity. Wealth is about maximizing your income by pursuing diverse investments, and equity represents the value of your assets after debts are paid off.

Taking stock of your goals can help you decide if ownership will provide the job security and self-sufficiency you need to end Battered Career Syndrome® and keep stress at bay.

Check out our new guide to self-sufficiency, “Your Career 2.0: A Survival Guide for The Battered Career and Investor Syndrome®,” or contact a Career Ownership Coach at The Entrepreneur’s Source® today.