Our 20s are often seen as a time for enjoying ourselves – a time with little pressure and responsibility when we can let loose and make the most of everything the world has to offer.

As we age, however, we expect this sense of ease to dissipate, replaced by the responsibilities of work, family and everything in between. It’s the thinking behind the concept of the midlife crisis – the idea that our stress levels reach a peak once we reach our late 40s and 50s.

But a new study suggests this idea – that our stress levels reach a peak around middle age – isn’t exactly accurate. The research, which was conducted by analysing the stress levels of adults aged between 20-70 over a 20-year period, found that the number of stressful events we encounter tends to decrease as we age, with those under 30 reporting the highest levels of stress exposure.  

In fact, the study found that the number of stressful encounters experienced by those in their 50s was halfway between those in their 20s and 70s, with overall stressful events declining by 11% for everyone in the experiment, demonstrating that stress levels are at their peak in our 20s (aka, the age the youngest participants were when the study first started) and decrease from there.

Even more fascinating was the fact that, while 11% was the average reduction in stressful experiences across the whole experiment, those in the younger age categories experienced a decline of 47%, suggesting that the number of stressful things we endure drops dramatically after we reach our 30s.

Of course, it’s possible to experience high levels of stress at any point in your life, and the stress levels you experience are defined by a wide range of factors beyond the number of stressful moments you encounter on a daily basis. However, it is comforting to know that the amount of stress you’ll come up against is likely to decrease as you age, no matter what stage of your life you’re at.

If you’re in your 20s, this research is also a handy reminder to give yourself some grace amid the chaos. Life may feel uncertain or overwhelming, but chances are you’re in the middle of one of (if not the) most stressful periods of your life – so make sure to give yourself a pat on the back every once in a while.     

Image: Getty