New data has found that women in Ireland are more likely to experience frequent stress compared to their male counterparts.
Research commissioned by WHOOP, the human performance company, shows that sustained stress is a reality for many people in Ireland, with clear differences emerging by gender and region. The nationally representative survey of 1,000 adults across Ireland found that 32 per cent feel stressed most days or every day, highlighting the scale of sustained stress. But a clear gender gap has emerged; 36 per cent of women report frequent stress, compared to 28 per cent of men, while men are almost twice as likely to say they never feel stressed. Regional differences are also pronounced. Mayo records the highest levels of frequent stress at 56 per cent, followed by Laois (51 per cent) and Donegal (48 per cent), all significantly above the national average. At the other end of the scale, Cavan reports the lowest levels of frequent stress among counties surveyed.
Recovery remains a challenge across the country; 74 per cent say they do not recover quickly from stress, and 21 per cent say they take no action to relieve it. While stress is often viewed negatively, WHOOP research highlights that stress itself is not inherently harmful. Short-term stress can support adaptation and performance – but only when balanced with effective recovery. When people do try to manage stress, they rely on simple habits such as talking with others, exercising, and prioritising sleep.
Emily Capodilupo, Senior Vice President of Research, Algorithms, and Data at WHOOP, commented: “Across Ireland, we are seeing that stress has become a normal part of everyday life for many people, with women in particular reporting higher levels of frequent stress, but the real challenge is not stress itself, it’s recovery. When people understand how their body responds to stress and recovery, they are far better equipped to manage it, and WHOOP helps by giving them real-time insights to support that.”
Drawing on WHOOP research and human performance insight, key ways to better manage stress and support recovery include:
- Prioritising sleep consistency and quality: Sleep is one of the strongest drivers of recovery. Poor or inconsistent sleep reduces heart rate variability (HRV), a key indicator of the body’s ability to cope with stress.
- Balancing strain with recovery: Stress is not the problem in itself – the issue arises when it is not followed by sufficient recovery. Managing this balance is critical.
- Monitoring physiological stress signals: Changes in heart rate, HRV, and respiratory rate can indicate when the body is under strain, often before stress is consciously felt.
- Building consistent daily routines: Regular sleep and activity patterns help regulate the nervous system and reduce background stress over time.
- Incorporating intentional rest: Practices such as low-stimulation rest or Non-Sleep Deep Rest can help the body downregulate and recover.
- Using movement to support resilience: Moderate, well-timed physical activity can improve sleep and support resilience when balanced with recovery.