Maybe it’s because I was feeling a decent amount of stress when I read this study, but I was pretty convicted by the 2010 Stress in America report published recently by the American Psychological Association.

A few of the findings that are most noteworthy and important for leaders and parents:

-In general, Americans recognize that their stress levels remain high and exceed what they consider to be healthy.

- Children say they can tell that their parents are stressed when they argue and complain, which many children say makes them feel sad and worried. Parents, however, are not fully realizing the impact their own stress is having on their children.

-Americans understand their stress is not healthy but they are stymied about ways to change.

I’m going to spend the next few days unpacking this important research report on the blog and helping us think more about the effect of stress on our kids and what we can do about it. In the midst of the holidays, I want to be more aware of my stress and how it’s impacting my own kids, and other kids in my life.