Work and money worries causing ‘stress epidemic’

PRESSURE at work, money worries and health concerns are leaving Britons in the grip of a ‘stress epidemic’, a report warns.

Four out of five said in a survey that they feel stressed during a typical week, while almost one in ten were stressed all the time. Workplace stress was linked to an ‘always on’ culture, with most people taking calls or checking emails in the evenings and at weekends. More than two out of three were worried about their salary prospects, and almost as many were concerned about paying household bills.

Men were more likely to be stressed about work, the study of 4,000 adults revealed. Many of those questioned said they watch TV, listen to music, read a book, exercise or drink alcohol to help combat stress.

Dr Mark Winwood, of insurance giant Axa, which conducted the study, said: ‘these findings illustrate the worrying scale of the UK’s stress epidemic, occurring both in the workplace and at home, impacting people up and down the country. As well as work and finances, health seems to be a concern for a large number of Brits. People are not only worried about their own well-being but also the general health of their loved ones.’

cardiff was said to be the city with the most stressed locals, followed by Belfast, Sheffield, London and Leeds. People were least stressed in Brighton, Newcastle, Liverpool, cambridge, Birmingham and Leicester.