Around 44% of British adults consider themselves to be suffering from stress, according to a study by BUPA.
BUPA surveyed more than 10,000 Brits and found that 28% have experienced stress for more than a year and that 27% regularly feel close to breaking point.
The research reveals that stress is most prevalent amongst 45-54-year-olds with half saying they’re stressed, and least prevalent amongst the 55 and overs – with only 38% stating they are currently stressed. The Bupa survey also found women are more likely to consider themselves stressed – 49% compared with 39% of men.
The main causes of stress identified by respondents include money worries (20%), followed by day-to-day working (18%), family life (8%) and living with long-term illness (7%).
“While low-level and irregular bouts of stress can be beneficial and manageable, it’s concerning to see that so many people are experiencing sustained and relentless stress,” said Dr Martin Baggaley, medical director at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
“If left unchecked for a prolonged period of time, stress can cause much more serious, long-term mental and physical illnesses such as anxiety and depression, and be a contributing factor in health problems such as heart disease and even obesity.”
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