'Stressflation Rates' In PA Puts Montco In At Third Lowest

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — The third most populous county in Pennsylvania has come in third among all Keystone State counties for the lowest level of "stressflation," or pandemic-induced stress tied to being forced to stay homebound, according to a new study.

The county with the highest "stressflation" over the last five years is Cameron. More specifically, citizens there had a 4 percent increase in physical stress well as a 6 percent increase in mental stress in the last year.

My Biosource, a COVID-19 research center headquartered in San Diego, Calif., prepared the research.

In the Philadelphia area, Chester County came it at number one for experiencing the lowest stressflation and Bucks County was at number two.

MyBioSource.com, a biotechnical products distribution company, conducted a study of physical and mental distress data from County Health Rankings over the last 5 years (from 2017 to 2021) in counties across Pennsylvania.

From longer work hours to increased demands at home, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed Americans to new levels of stress in almost every aspect of their lives.

Two years of COVID-related health worries, Americans are faced with financial concerns as high inflation leads to a cost-of-living crisis for many.

Here is the ranking for counties in southeastern Pennsylvania:

• 1. Chester
• 2. Bucks
• 3. Montgomery
• 58. Delaware
• 62. Philadelphia

States with the highest stress inflation:

• Maine: 6 percent stressflation.
• North Dakota: 5 percent stress inflation.
• Ohio: 5 percent stress inflation.
• Kansas 4 percent stress inflation.
• Michigan: 4 percent stress inflation

States with the lowest stress inflation rates in the country:

• New York: 2 percent stress deflation
• Wyoming: 1 percent stress deflation.
• Maryland: 1 percent stress deflation.
• Rhode Island: 0 percent inflation.
• North Carolina: 0 percent inflation.

Many people have become familiar with the feeling of being stressed, which is understandable given the pandemic-related events of the past few years,' says a spokesperson with MyBioSource.com.

"Chronic stress can have seriously negative impacts on the body – both physically and mentally – and allowing it to build up may result in further detriment to your health over time."

If you are unable to reduce your stress levels through relaxation techniques or exercise, please see a health professional.

More information is available here. A link to a spreadsheet used in the study is available here.