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Feeling stressed? Science finds a simple way to take back control

A tight work deadline, a clogged toilet, or a disagreement with a loved one can make an ordinary day feel overwhelming.

Portrait of Patrick Donnelly
Dating & Family · September 26, 2026
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AI-generated rendition with an imagined camera angle, not a documentary photograph. Source: www.sciencedaily.com
AI-generated rendition with an imagined camera angle, not a documentary photograph. Source image: www.sciencedaily.com.

A tight work deadline, a clogged toilet, or a disagreement with a loved one can make an ordinary day feel overwhelming. When several of these small frustrations build up, stress can quickly escalate.

But according to new research that includes scientists from Penn State, simply feeling more in control might help make those everyday challenges easier to handle. The study found that on days when people felt they had greater control over their stressors, they were 62% more likely to take action -- such as calling a plumber or addressing a difficult conversation -- to solve the problem.

First reported by ScienceDaily: Relationships.

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