The idiom of “the straw that broke the camel’s back” speaks to a proverb that highlights how a minor action can result in a large sudden reaction because of the successive additions of other minor actions. Analysts explain that consumers already had been experiencing stress and anxiety but the arrival of the pandemic has exacerbated this lifestyle state.
“Stress and anxiety have been growing steadily over the last decade in part due to the breakneck speed of life,” says Kishan Vasani, co-founder and chief executive officer of Spoonshot, St. Paul, Minn. “But this year has seen a 24 percent spike in stress and anxiety levels as a result of the pandemic. Social isolation, concerns over getting sick, losing loved ones, financial uncertainty, job loss and childcare have all contributed significantly to the increased anxiety faced by consumers today. In fact, many mental health professionals expect to see far long-term effects of the pandemic on people’s mental and emotional well-being.”