According to a survey conducted in South Korea in 2022, about 44.9 percent of the respondents answered that they felt stressed during the past two weeks. The level of stress among South Koreans slightly decreased in comparison to the level recorded two years ago, when 50.5 percent of respondents reported feeling stressed.
Stress realities in South Korea
In South Korea, the constant pace of modern life and societal expectations contribute to elevated stress levels. The competitive education system, work culture, and social pressures create a challenging environment for many Koreans. According to a survey, approximately 36 percent of students reported feeling stressed in school. College students appeared to experience higher stress levels than individuals at other educational levels. Concerning work life, over half of the respondents noted experiencing stress in their workplaces. While overall stress levels have decreased in recent years, the findings indicate that women tend to feel more stress than men.
A closer look at mental well-being
In South Korea, mental health issues are increasingly recognized as a significant concern amidst the competitive society. South Korea's suicide rate is presumably linked to the mental well-being of its citizens, as over half of suicide attempts involved individuals with mental health problems or depressive disorders. Some popular methods to enhance mental well-being among Koreans in the past year included exercising, meditation, mindfulness, and improving sleep hygiene.
