Brits "overwhelmed" by recession as stress levels soar

21/04/2009

The credit crunch isn't just having an effect on personal finances - it's also damaging people's health and happiness.

This is the claim made by insurer PruHealth today, in a report which stated that Brits had become "overwhelmed, overworked and overweight" due to the recession.

The firm said that almost two million more people were living an unhealthy lifestyle now than six months ago - with the total now up to 18 per cent of the total population.

Over the intervening period, unemployment has risen to a ten-year high, securing credit on the high street has remained difficult, house prices have continued to fall and the UK has officially entered recession - all factors which could have contributed to stress levels.

PruHealth said that almost half of Brits feel that their stress levels have "increased" over recent months, while half of this total think that the stress has had an impact on their personal lives.

Kevin Still, EuroDebt director, said: "Stress and your financial health are inevitably linked. Most people that EuroDebt visit have had a change in circumstances that has affects their ability to pay their debts, but often their ability to generate the income to service their household financial commitments.

"Where this stress carries over into the work place then it may result in under performance and potentially further loss of income, either through more days of sick or loss of job. Taking proper medical advice as well as debt advice is important. Where there are mitigating circumstances then your creditors are required to take these into consideration where formal evidence is obtained from an appropriate practitioner, for example your GP or a specialist nurse."

Also commenting on the findings, Dr David Grainger, senior fellow at Cambridge University, said: "These findings suggest a staggering two million more people have an unhealthy lifestyle than six months ago.

"The most likely cause? Economic recession."

Tags; Housing Debt and Bills, Credit Card Lifestyle, Recent Graduate Debt, Retirement Money Problems,

Regional Debt Advice; Debt Advice Cambridge,

• Share
• 
• 
• Store
• 
• Follow
•