You probably know the feeling. The bills land, the groceries cost more than last month, and you cancel on a friend because you just do not have it in you. For many Americans, that quiet pulling back is now routine.
A new survey from the American Psychological Association found 77 percent of U.S. adults cite the cost of living as a significant source of stress.
Nearly half, 47 percent, said they have pulled back from at least one form of social contact in the past year because of stress or feeling overwhelmed.
The number that worried researchers most was quieter. Almost three-quarters of adults, 72 percent, agreed that stress is just something they have to live with. A similar share said bad news no longer shocks them the way it used to.
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Why the resignation worries researchers
"Becoming accustomed to chronic stress is not the same as adapting to it in a healthy way," said Arthur C. Evans Jr., chief executive of the APA, in comments reported by News-Medical.
Chronic stress takes a serious toll on physical and psychological well-being, he added, and should not be accepted as an inevitable part of everyday life.
That toll shows up in the body as well as the mind. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, long-running stress can disturb sleep and affect the immune, digestive, cardiovascular and reproductive systems.
It also raises the risk of developing anxiety or depression.
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Money stress and the sense of falling behind
Beyond the top-line number on cost of living, the APA survey found a specific kind of financial fatigue. 59 percent of adults said they feel they are doing everything right but still falling behind.
More than half, 56 percent, have lowered their expectations for what they can achieve in life.
Concern about the country added another layer. 74 percent cited the future of the nation as a significant source of stress, ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
When stressed people turn to AI instead of friends
The survey, conducted by The Harris Poll between July 29 and August 24, 2026, among 3,132 adults, also tracked a shift in where people look for support.
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Among adults who use AI tools, 49 percent said they have had conversations with AI as if it were a friend. Another 47 percent said they have used AI in a mental health role.
One in ten adults said they rely on AI more than on friends or family for advice.
Evans warned that this trust is misplaced. Accessibility should not be confused with expertise, he said. AI tools cannot replace the judgment of a qualified mental health professional or the human connection that comes from family and friends.
If stress is interfering with sleep, work or relationships, NIMH recommends talking to a healthcare provider. Psychotherapy and, in some cases, medication are the main treatments for ongoing anxiety and depression.
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This article is made and published by Aksel Kryhlmand, who may have used AI in the preparation.