Gallup: Utah is the most stressed U.S. state

[Uncle Ted]

it is probably a function of all the bankruptcies. I would imagine that is causing some stress.

Edit: If so, Texas looks like a nice place to live.

[Northwestcoug]

This all goes back to the fact that we have no means of self-medicating.

I think the Church should start allowing 10 glasses of beer or wine per week. I'm only half joking. I've only had alcohol once (it was Everclear and was a great deterrent for my curiousity of alcohol as a 17-year old), but I'm convinced that my co-workers who can unwind with a cold one after a long, stressful day have superior mental health than I do b/c it offers them relief that I choose not to employ for religious reasons.

Hear, hear!

I get so tired hearing about the evils of alcohol. I certainly see the effects of abuse, and they can be devastating. But these are a minority of alcohol users. I know too many good people who use alcohol responsibly. They use it to connect with friends and family. Not to mention the marginal but real health benefits.

Would it be so bad to relax the WoW on alcohol? Or for that matter, the ridiculous ban on tea and coffee?
(I know, not going to happen...)

[Paperback Writer]

I blame large families and a lay clergy.

Bingo. Large families reslut in a higher cost of living and may preclude one parent from working . I'd also add, in my view, that Utah professionals earn less than other markets with comparable costs of living. Large familes and church calling require more time. So increased financial pressures + increased time pressures = more stress.

[Uncle Ted]

Bingo. Large families reslut in a higher cost of living and may preclude one parent from working . I'd also add, in my view, that Utah professionals earn less than other markets with comparable costs of living. Large familes and church calling require more time. So increased financial pressures + increased time pressures = more stress.

Yes, you guys may be on to something...



Edit:

[FMCoug]

The direction this thread would take was as predictable as the sunrise.

[Green Monstah]

Bingo. Large families reslut in a higher cost of living and may preclude one parent from working . I'd also add, in my view, that Utah professionals earn less than other markets with comparable costs of living. Large familes and church calling require more time. So increased financial pressures + increased time pressures = more stress.

So, basically, our only non-prescription stress reliever is sex, which may result in more children and compound the stress.

I'm just glad I didn't marry a "for procreation purposes only" Mormon.

[Green Monstah]

Edit: If so, Texas looks like a nice place to live.

This is sort of ironic in that Texas is one of the best places for a person to file chapter 7 bankruptcy (great property exemptions).

[mUUser]

I blame large families and a lay clergy.

Regular church calling
Meetings associated with calling
Training associated with calling
Weekly 3 hr church attendance
Daily personal scripture study
Daily family scripture study
Daily personal prayer multiple times
Daily couples prayer
Daily family prayer
Weekly FHE
Weekly/monthly missionary splits
Feed missionaries
Weekly YM/YW
Daily seminary
Monthly temple attendance
Genealogy work
Monthly HT/VT
Scheduled service projects
Last minute service projects
Homemaking night
Duty to God
Personal Progress

I think it's fair to suggest that membership increases stress load.

[Jacob]

Regular church calling
Meetings associated with calling
Training associated with calling
Weekly 3 hr church attendance
Daily personal scripture study
Daily family scripture study
Daily personal prayer multiple times
Daily couples prayer
Daily family prayer
Weekly FHE
Weekly/monthly missionary splits
Feed missionaries
Weekly YM/YW
Daily seminary
Monthly temple attendance
Genealogy work
Monthly HT/VT
Scheduled service projects
Last minute service projects
Homemaking night
Duty to God
Personal Progress

I think it's fair to suggest that membership increases stress load.

I don't think that's a fair suggestion. You've listed a bunch of activities that some or many members may participate in. But I don't see why those activities necessarily increase stress. They never have in my life. Currently, I do very few of those, I used to do many more. My stress level hasn't changed.

And Daily Prayer is supposed to add stress? I'd guess it has the opposite effect. As would daily meditation.

[Paperback Writer]

Regular church calling
Meetings associated with calling
Training associated with calling
Weekly 3 hr church attendance
Daily personal scripture study
Daily family scripture study
Daily personal prayer multiple times
Daily couples prayer
Daily family prayer
Weekly FHE
Weekly/monthly missionary splits
Feed missionaries
Weekly YM/YW
Daily seminary
Monthly temple attendance
Genealogy work
Monthly HT/VT
Scheduled service projects
Last minute service projects
Homemaking night
Duty to God
Personal Progress

I think it's fair to suggest that membership increases stress load.

I would add scouting in all its glorious forms: cub scouts, Weblos, and Boy Scouts. Scouting is a black hole when it comes to time. And add to that a calling like Scoutmaster that requires considerably more training. And then add to that a Bishop who holds YM leaders accountable for a YM's progress in scouting regardless of whether the YM is interested in advancing within an orginization that he (the scout) didn't necessary volunteer for or asked to be signed up in, and doesn't get parental support for (other than Mom slowing down the SUV enough in the church parking lot for the scout to get out).

A lot of stress can be relieved but just making it known to the membership that most or all of these programs are optional rather than essential to one's salvation. Instead LDS members are cowed in thinking that if their family doesn't participate in the full menu of LDS programs and activities that their eternal family is in jeopardy - that there will be empty seats at the celestial table.

[Bjorn Turoque]

So, basically, our only non-prescription stress reliever is sex, which may result in more children and compound the stress.

And porn, which may result in feelings of unworthiness which compound the stress.

(Only semi-TIC)

[frank ryan]

I live in Utah, I'm pretty damn stressed. Maybe i skewed the stats

[doctorcoug]

One of the biggest issues for me is that I am not supposed to work or play on Sunday, so I have one less day a week to relieve stress. That is a significant time loss.

[statman]

Regular church calling
Meetings associated with calling
Training associated with calling
Weekly 3 hr church attendance
Daily personal scripture study
Daily family scripture study
Daily personal prayer multiple times
Daily couples prayer
Daily family prayer
Weekly FHE
Weekly/monthly missionary splits
Feed missionaries
Weekly YM/YW
Daily seminary
Monthly temple attendance
Genealogy work
Monthly HT/VT
Scheduled service projects
Last minute service projects
Homemaking night
Duty to God
Personal Progress

I think it's fair to suggest that membership increases stress load.

Freaking Eagle Projects!

[Uncle Ted]

NPR reports on Utah's drug problem... The other drug problem.

Mormons, Forbidden From Drugs, Plagued By Prescription Drug Addiction

Over 60% of Utah's residents are members of the Mormon Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a faith that forbids the use of drugs including alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea. Yet, Utah has one of the highest rates of prescription drug addiction in the country, with an average of 21 state residents dying from pain medication abuse each month. It's a figure that rivals, and at times overtakes, motor vehicle crash deaths.


The issue has had a shattering effect on the Latter-day Saints community as Mindy Vincent, a therapist at a drug recovery center in Salt Lake City, can attest. Her sister, Maline, died August of last year from prescription pain medication overuse. Reporter Andrea Smardon from KUER Radio in Salt Lake City followed the Vincent family as they continue to grieve and struggle with addiction in their family.
[...]

http://www.thetakeaway.org/story/dru...lds-community/