A Century of Stress: How Our Responses to Pressure Have Evolved

This article is part of our Century of Change series, which explores how metabolic health has been shaped by changes in diet, movement, and stress responses over the last hundred years.

Early 20th Century: Physical Stress and Community Coping

In the early 1900s, daily life involved frequent physical stressors. Manual labor, unpredictable weather, limited healthcare, and economic uncertainty were common challenges. People managed stress largely through shared community structures, faith practices, physical exertion, and naturally built-in periods of rest within daily rhythms. While these stressors were real and often intense, they were typically balanced by strong social bonds and simpler communication patterns.

Stress in this era was closely tied to the body's natural fight-or-flight response, followed by periods of recovery-a rhythm modern life often disrupts.

Mid-20th Century: Social Shifts and Emerging Awareness

Industrialization, urbanization, and global conflicts brought new kinds of psychological stress. World wars, economic instability, and rapid cultural change shaped collective experiences of pressure and uncertainty. Work environments shifted from farms and factories to offices, introducing new forms of chronic, lower-intensity stress.

During this time, scientific understanding of stress deepened. In the 1930s and 1940s, Hans Selye introduced the concept of "stress" as a biological response to demands. This marked the beginning of studying stress as a distinct factor in health, linking prolonged exposure to stress with physical and emotional consequences.

Late 20th Century: Acceleration and Information Overload

By the latter half of the century, technological advancements transformed communication and work. Televisions, telephones, and later computers began to shorten response times and blur boundaries between work and personal life. The rise of dual-income households, urban sprawl, and consumer culture introduced new pressures on time, attention, and emotional bandwidth.

Unlike the acute physical stressors of the past, these modern stressors were often chronic and psychological. People faced fewer moments of full physical exertion and recovery, leading to stress that lingered beneath the surface. Prolonged activation of stress pathways contributes to systemic strain, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic illness, as outlined in Understanding Chronic Disease.

Modern Era: Constant Stimulation and New Strategies

Today, stress is shaped by 24/7 connectivity, rapid news cycles, and social media. Many people live in a state of near-constant stimulation, rarely giving their nervous systems time to reset. Digital distractions, economic uncertainty, and social comparison amplify this effect, leaving little room for stillness or recovery.

At the same time, there's growing recognition of the importance of regulating stress intentionally. Practices such as breathwork, mindfulness, prayer, time in nature, and deliberate rest are being reintroduced as essential tools for nervous system health. These strategies reflect the "breathe" and "think" pillars of the Four Foundations of Wellness, helping bring the body back into balance in ways that modern life often neglects.

Building Resilience in a Modern World

Reclaiming a healthy relationship with stress isn't about eliminating pressure-it's about reshaping how we respond. Setting boundaries around technology, incorporating daily breathing practices, engaging in meaningful relationships, and prioritizing restorative routines all strengthen resilience. These approaches support both mental well-being and metabolic stability.

Integrating stress-regulating practices into a broader wellness lifestyle allows modern individuals to regain control over their nervous systems and live with greater clarity, emotional balance, and long-term vitality.

Related Articles in This Series

• A Century of Eating: How Our Diets Have Evolved and What It Means for Health Today
• A Century of Movement: How Exercise and Daily Activity Have Transformed

Finding Calm in a Fast-Paced World

The nature of stress has shifted from physical and community-based to mental, constant, and often isolating. By rediscovering timeless strategies-breathing with intention, setting healthy boundaries, and cultivating mental clarity-we can restore balance in our lives. Stress will always be part of the human experience, but how we respond to it determines whether it erodes or strengthens our health.