Leger is proud to be a part of the Worldwide Independent Network of Market Research (WIN), an organization of different market researchers around the world that develops quality insights around the world. Multiple times a year, all WIN members conduct research on various subjects that interest the global population.
As we mark World Relaxation Day, the latest findings reveal a growing global reliance on mindfulness and meditation as essential tools for coping with rising stress and emotional strain. Across continents, people are turning to these practices not merely for wellness, but for stability, emotional regulation, and survival in increasingly fast-paced and uncertain times. And while this shift is visible around the world, it is even more urgent in the United States, where levels of stress, overwhelm, and emotional volatility consistently outpace the global average.
Leger conducted the WIN World Survey 2025 study in the United States and Canada.
Emotional Strain
From stress to overwhelm, U.S. respondents consistently report feeling emotionally taxed at higher levels than the global average:
- 46% of Americans report suffering from stress regularly (vs. 33% globally)
- 39% of Americans say they frequently feel worried (vs. 33% globally)
- 35% report often feeling overwhelmed (vs. 24% globally)
- 30% frequently feel irritable or moody (vs. 23% globally)
Mindfulness: A Growing Practice
Mindfulness techniques like meditation, breathwork, or body scans are increasingly recommended for emotional regulation and stress relief. Yet despite their documented benefits, regular use remains limited. 30% of Americans say they practice mindfulness techniques frequently, which is much higher than the global average of 17%.
Leger’s 2025 Health and Wellness Toolkit reinforces these findings, showing that emotional well-being is now a central pillar of how people define health. According to the report, 74% consider mental health a top wellness priority, followed closely by 71% who prioritize emotional well-being. The toolkit also notes a growing appetite for practices like mindfulness, rest, and boundary-setting. Together, these insights highlight not only the rising emotional strain Americans are facing, but also their readiness to embrace more intentional, self-guided approaches to well-being.
