Behind the default response of “I'm fine” lies a nation struggling with overwhelming stress, guilt, and time shortages. These powerful barriers prevent millions from truly prioritizing their emotional well-being.
Our comprehensive new survey of 1,000 Americans highlights the complex and sometimes contradictory ways people seek solace, from turning to the therapeutic calm of nature to the paradoxical scroll of social media.
This deep dive uncovers not only the go-to wellness routine people use to find their center but also the powerful barriers, like a chronic lack of time and deep-seated guilt, that prevent millions from truly prioritizing their own well-being.
Key Findings:
- 37% of Americans said their go-to activity when they want to feel more grounded is spending time in nature.
- 35.9% want morning coffee/tea in silence as their reset ritual.
- 31.7% want hot tubs as a home wellness upgrade.
- 37% of Gen Zers scroll through social media when they're feeling emotionally drained.
- 15% of Americans say they intentionally set aside time for just themselves a few times a month or less.
- 21% of Americans say their biggest obstacle to taking better care of their emotional health is not having enough time.
- 20% of women say their biggest obstacle to taking better care of their emotional health is feeling guilty prioritizing themselves.
- 41% of Americans say they often claim they're fine when they're actually not.
Nature's Call: Americans Reconnect with the Healing Power of the Outdoors
When stress builds, Americans instinctively head outside. Time spent in nature remains one of the most reliable sources of calm.
- 37% of Americans said their go-to activity when they want to feel more grounded is spending time in nature.
Research shows that outdoor time lowers stress hormones, boosts serotonin, and engages the body's natural relaxation response. This suggests that even in an era dominated by technology, Americans are leaning on the restorative power of the natural world as a primary source of resilience.
Sacred Silence: Morning Rituals Provide a Reset
The ritual of quiet coffee time offers multiple benefits: it creates structure and calm in chaotic lives, engages all five senses for natural mindfulness, and provides crucial processing time for emotions and thoughts. The quiet moment with a cup of coffee or tea has become more than just a daily routine.
- 35.9% prefer a morning coffee or tea ritual in silence as their reset.
This brief pause provides structure, mindfulness, and space for reflection at the start of the day. Studies show that silence alone can lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, and improve focus, making this ritual a powerful tool for emotional balance.
The Home Spa Revolution: Hot Tubs as the Ultimate Wellness Upgrade
Wellness at home is gaining ground, and hot tubs are leading the way as an investment in both mind and body.
- 31.7% want hot tubs as a home wellness upgrade.
This statistic reflects a growing understanding that hot tub hydrotherapy can:
- Help relieve joint soreness and stiffness
- Help improve blood circulation
- Reduce the effects of stress
- Help prepare your body for sleep
For many, a hot tub is no longer just a luxury but an essential piece of a sustainable wellness routine. Those interested can connect with local hot tub dealers to find the right fit.
Digital Escape: Gen Z's Paradoxical Coping Mechanism
For a younger generation, the phone is both a source of stress and a solution.
- 37% of Gen Zers scroll through social media when they're feeling emotionally drained.
Even as three in four Gen Zers acknowledge the negative impact of social media on their mental health, many still turn to it for comfort. In fact, our research shows that most still spend an average of 5.5 hours daily on these platforms, with many automatically reaching for their phones when they feel overwhelmed.
This paradox underscores a cycle of digital dependence, highlighting the need for healthier coping strategies.
The Self-Care Squeeze: Americans Struggle to Make Time for Themselves
Personal time is proving to be the rarest resource of all.
- Only 15% of Americans say they intentionally set aside time for themselves, and when they do, it's typically a few times a month or less.
Competing responsibilities and fast-paced schedules leave little room for rest. Without intentional time for restoration, energy and vitality slip away, highlighting the urgent need for Americans to carve out moments for themselves.
Time Crunch Crisis: Lack of Time Is the Top Barrier
Schedules remain the main barrier to emotional wellness.
- 21% of Americans say their biggest obstacle to emotional health is not having enough time.
Between work demands, caregiving responsibilities, and the daily pressure to be productive, many people view emotional well-being as optional. Broader research shows that Americans consistently struggle to prioritize mental wellness amid overwhelming daily demands. This pressure creates a structural challenge that makes genuine recovery difficult to achieve.
The Guilt Trap: Women Shoulder Emotional Burdens
Beyond time, women face an additional barrier: guilt.
- 20% of women say their most significant obstacle to emotional health is feeling guilty for prioritizing themselves.
Cultural expectations continue to position women's needs as secondary, creating a hidden emotional tax that discourages self-care. This statistic reflects a broader pattern where women have been socialized to believe that "good" caregivers and mothers should always put others first, making self-care feel morally wrong or selfish.
The "Fine" Façade: A Nation Hiding in Plain Sight
The most common response to "How are you?" masks deeper struggles.
The automatic response of "I'm fine" has become our default emotional armor, a learned behavior that often stems from childhood experiences where expressing feelings was met with dismissal, punishment, or being told to "stay strong."
- 41% of Americans say they often claim they're fine when they're not.
While masking emotions may offer temporary protection, it may lead to long-term consequences such as anxiety, depression, and strained relationships. This widespread disconnect signals a nation that urgently needs safer spaces to express authentic feelings.
Summary
The Emotional Wellness Index paints a clear picture of the American paradox. While there's a strong desire for grounding rituals (from time outdoors to the quiet of a morning coffee to the restorative soak of a home spa), powerful barriers stand in the way.
Time constraints, cultural guilt, and emotional masking create distance between what people need and what they can realistically claim. Moving forward means treating emotional well-being not as an indulgence but as an essential to maximizing life. Only then can Americans transition from a state of survival to genuine wellness.
Methodology
To understand how Americans approach emotional wellness and self-care, we surveyed 1,000 adults nationwide. Participants answered a series of questions about their go-to coping mechanisms, the barriers that prevent them from prioritizing their emotional health, and how cultural pressures shape their choices. Responses were analyzed across demographics, including gender and generation, to uncover patterns, disparities, and the broader state of emotional wellness in the U.S.
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