One group that has been particularly affected by the stressors cited above is adults with children under the age of 18 , who have reported significantly higher stress levels than childless adults .
stressors cited above is adults with children under the age of 18 , who have reported significantly higher stress levels than childless adults .
In May , the average reported stress level related to the pandemic was 6.7 for parents of young children compared to 5.5 for adults without children ( on a 10-point scale where one means “ little or no stress ” and 10 means “ a great deal of stress ”). Forty-six percent of parents rated their stress levels between eight and 10 on the scale , compared to 28 percent for non-parents . In addition , more than seven in 10 parents ( 71 %) of school-aged kids said that managing distance or online learning for their children was a significant source of stress . That same percentage of parents reported being worried about the pandemic ’ s impact on their child ’ s social development .
Spas Respond to Stress
Figures like these may not be surprising , but they do add a complicating layer to spa employees ’ decisions about returning to work as the pandemic officially enters its 11th month . One thing that the APA ’ s study makes clear is that the decision is not as simple as merely wanting to return to work . Even employees who are enthusiastic and eager to return are likely doing so under added layers of stress , especially those navigating parenthood and a return to the spa .
The good news is that the spa industry ’ s increasing focus on total wellness makes it well-positioned to support the mental well-being of employees coping with higherthan-usual stress levels . Throughout ISPA ’ s Reopening Town Hall series , spa leaders repeatedly highlighted the need to show employees that support not only during the initial reopening phase , but long after they ’ ve adjusted to the routines of mask wearing , social distancing and new sanitation protocols . Some spas have even set aside time for employees to receive treatments and services from their colleagues as a way of ensuring at least an occasional break from the stress so many are feeling these days .
If the APA ’ s statistics on stress are any indication , that little break might make a world of difference . n
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