The Silent Struggle: Women Reveal Hidden Stress Burdens And Coping Tactics

A new survey suggests that women across generations are quietly carrying a disproportionate emotional and physical burden, with many internalizing the stress of others while struggling to prioritize their own wellbeing.

According to a poll of 2,000 women conducted by Talker Research on behalf of probiotic supplement brand Florastor, 73% said they take on the stress of friends and family — worrying about their loved ones, empathizing with their struggles, and often trying to solve their problems. Nearly the same number (72%) said they feel both societal and internal pressure to absorb this emotional labor.

Despite this, only 18% of women report being “very open” with their own friends and family about their stress levels, and 52% admitted they often pretend to be “fine” even when theyre not. The survey highlights the hidden cost of emotional caregiving and the toll it takes across all aspects of womens lives.

On average, women feel stressed for five hours a day, rising to six hours for Gen Z and millennial respondents. For some, stress starts as early as waking up — 15% said they feel it the moment they open their eyes. Gen X participants reported feeling stress most acutely around midday (16%).

When it comes to triggers, results varied by generation. Gen Z women cited work (37%) and relationships with men (19%) as major sources of stress. Millennials reported a strong dislike for phone calls, with 21% identifying them as a significant stressor. Gen Xers said physical health worries (31%) weighed heavily, while 30% of baby boomers named the news as their biggest source of stress.

The impact of stress is widespread. Forty-four percent said it affects their sleep, while others cited trouble focusing (34%), worsening mental health (34%), and digestive issues such as bloating and constipation (15%). For 43%, the connection between stress and gut health is so clear, they joked their gut would send them a “Girl, you need to chill” message during a meltdown.

“Your body is like a vibrant, bustling city — every system, every function working together in perfect harmony,” said Bindu Shah, Chief Marketing Officer at Biocodex USA. “But when stress and life’s challenges hit, its like a power outage or gridlock in your inner city. Everything slows down, and balance is disrupted. That’s why maintaining your physical and mental health is essential — it helps keep your inner city resilient, thriving, and ready for whatever comes its way.”

Stress also influences daily behavior. Over a quarter of women surveyed said they struggle to plan for the future because theyre focused on getting through the day. Others noted they spend less time with loved ones (26%), have less energy for hobbies (26%), and feel more disconnected from their partners (21%).

Women are using various coping strategies to manage their stress. Top methods include carving out “me time” (36%), taking walks (35%), showering (30%), getting eight hours of sleep (30%), and playing with pets (27%). Respondents said these activities reduce stress by nearly two-thirds (63%) on average.

“Results found that stress for women is so intense that 26% of women surveyed would delete social media or sleep on the floor (14%) just to decrease their levels by half,” said Shah. “It speaks volumes about how urgently women are seeking relief. Too often, stress builds up beneath the surface — disrupting everything from sleep to digestion. Finding healthy ways and a wellness-centered daily routine to manage stress isn’t just helpful — its essential to keeping all facets of the body running smoothly.”

Sixty percent of women said being a woman in 2025 is more stressful than ever before. And while 63% believe their stress levels are equal to or greater than the men in their lives, they also believe that stress is often silently endured.

The survey even asked respondents to choose songs that reflect their current emotional state. Topping the list were “Numb” by Linkin Park (20%), “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie (18%), “Stressed Out” by Twenty One Pilots (18%), “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift (17%), and “Im So Tired” by The Beatles (14%). “Toxic” by Britney Spears also made the list, with 12% selecting it — perhaps not coincidentally, the same celebrity women said they believe has endured the most public stress in the past year.