Oklahoma Ranks Among the Most Stressed-Out States in the Nation

For one reason or another, Oklahoma is one of the most stressed states in our nation. The updated 2024 report pushes the Sooner State into the top three, but we've been in the top ten of this list for the last few years.

In 2021, OK ranked #9. 2022 #6. 2023 #4, and we jumped even higher in 2024.

What is so stressful about Oklahoma?

If you look at the numbers, our ranking closely mirrors the statistics of Oklahomans without adequate healthcare.

Now, if you read that and think it's more-or-less the cost of healthcare, that's a fair factor but not exactly what seems to be going on in our state.

The reality is Oklahoma has a shockingly high percentage of ongoing and untreated depression. Even worse, beyond the willingness to seek help, Oklahoma seriously lacks places for people to go to get help.

I have friends with kids going through some stuff right now, and while it's hard enough to get kids to accept help, it's an hour-and-a-half drive across the state to their nearest mental professional. In this current economy, any family would struggle to make that weekly commitment.

Money is also stressing out Oklahoma.

Money isn't worth what it was three years ago.

While the federal government doesn't factor things like groceries and fuel into their inflation calculations, everyone has noticed by now how most groceries are nearly twice what they used to be.

Eggs, cereal, chicken, milk, etc... Experts say prices are going down, but they're not returning to where they used to be. Even the big rumored "deflation" event that made so many headlines back in December never came true.

Fuel is also more than double what it was three years ago. While we're all thankful it's not at the record high +/-$5 per gallon, it's still a killer to the family economy.

Family issues rank up there too.

Between trying to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads, family issues strike just as deep for Oklahomans. Not only for the kids that are subject to stresses way beyond their critical thinking skills, but for parents too.

Ask any parent, they'll tell you that kids are expensive. The older they get the odds are the more they cost. This is especially hard on the single parents.

Not only is Oklahoma's divorce rate increasing, but marriages and license applications have shrunk by 40% in the last twenty-some-odd years. While the current trend is to seek or be stuck raising a family alone, it's a trend that will shift again if past stats are any indication.

Work is the last big stress indicator.

One of the terrible side-effects of a downturned economy in this state is our #1 economic export is the #1 thing the current federal administration is trying to kill.

Now, the oil and gas industry is no stranger to booms and busts, but that ebbs and flows daily. While the jobs pay very well, having work today doesn't mean you'll have work tomorrow.

Taking a quick peek at Facebook Marketplace, the volume of bro-country trucks and 24" eight-lug wheels suggest this industry is still struggling.

What are the solutions?

While I'd like to tell you simple things like "Make more money" or "Spend less money," these are really complex issues without an easy solution. The great experiment of the American Dream has always been something you'll have to find on your own.

That being said, I know a little something about managing stress. Like I tell my kin-folk when they start stressing about things in other states or countries... Don't waste your time stressing about things that you can't control.

You can't control how your significant other/ex/kids/boss responds to anything. You can only manage your own response. The same goes for any situation.

If you need mental health help, seek it out. There's nothing wrong with that, it doesn't make you less of a man or woman. It's a sickness like any other, and you certainly wouldn't label a diabetic less-than just because they needed their medication.