(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

If you have been feeling as though, after two years of a pandemic, political and social justice turmoil, economic struggles and one major news event after another (including a return to Cold War-like relations with Russia), you are more stressed than it seems you should be, you are not alone.

In fact, here in West Virginia, we are the 4th most stressed in the country, according to the WalletHub report “2022’s Most and Least Stressed States.”

Not all stress is the same, of course, and the Mountain State is middle-of-the-pack in terms of work-related stress (26th). But West Virginia is fourth for money-related stress, tenth for family-related stress, and an upsetting first in the nation for health- and safety-related stress.

To give some idea of the kinds of places WalletHub says are living the relaxed life, South Dakota is 48th, Minnesota is 49th and Utah is the least stressed state in the nation.

But here in West Virginia we are second worst for average hours of sleep per night; worst for the percentage of adults in fair/poor health and fourth for the percentage of the population living in poverty.

Financial health, mental health, emotional health and just plain old physical health are a problem here. And it is wearing on us. Our criminal justice system is full to overflowing with those who have broken because of it. Our children are suffering, and families no longer have the emotional capacity to help them cope.

It has left West Virginians vulnerable to predatory politicians who further exploit voters by stoking fear, anger and confusion. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if elected officials and bureaucrats spent as much effort in looking to foster hope, confidence and a clear path forward?

If we don’t abandon those who have profited by keeping us as stressed and off our game as they can manage, the only place West Virginia will rise is closer to No. 1 in reports such as this one.