As an American who has traveled all over the world and has experienced the life of other cultures, I know we live in one of the most stressed societies in the world. According to the Gallup Global Emotional Report, U.S. is ranked at #7 as the most stressed countries in the world. We are ranked higher on the list than both Iraq and Niger, now that is concerning. Gallup also reported that 8 out of 10 Americans feel stressed on a daily basis. How can this be when we live in “the land of the free”? One cause of this higher stress is because we are digitally connected in nearly all aspects of our lives. Because of our ‘connected’ lifestyle we now must be mindful of data security which some call “cyber-stress”.

In an earlier report I wrote about big data and the impact of a data breach. Many of us, if not directly impacted, know someone who has been affected by a cyber attack. Kaspersky Lab hired a research firm to conduct a survey of 2,515 internet users between the United States and Canada to reveal the stress levels of these consumers in relation to digital security. Here are some key findings:

Figure 1. Retrieved from, Kaspersky Lab, The State of Cyber-Stress

Cyber stress can be a significant health concern. Leaders should address these concerns before it results in absenteeism, illness, or leaves of absence. Stress can cause other mental issues such as shame, anger, and helplessness.

The best way to reduce stress is to stay informed. To do this, I recommend the following

1. Daily podcasts to stay up to date with potential cyber threats. I recommend The Cyberwire
2. Install and maintain an updated antivirus solution on all your devices including your phone
3. Keep all your apps up-to-date. I would recommend accepting the “Auto Update” features.
4. If you have kids, set up parental control software to keep you and your children safe.
5. Use strong passwords. I know it sucks to remember these passwords so I recommend using LastPass to help you remember your passwords and keep them safe.

Stay connected and let’s tackle this Cyber-stress and life stress together.  Lastly, implement the aforementioned ways to successfully reduce stress in your life.