One in five stressed, money biggest worry

3^rd November 2010 - A new report uncovers the way we deal with stress and warns that the way we cope with it is risking serious mental health problems.

The Mental Health Foundation commissioned the survey to mark National Stress Awareness Day.

The ‘Be Mindful Stress Survey’ found one in five of us is stressed every day, half of us are stressed at least once a week.

The economic climate, money and work worries are highlighted as the main causes of stress.

Under-25s are the most stressed age group overall.

When is comes to coping with stress, we’re turning to junk and comfort food, spending time alone or ‘just living with it’. These approaches carry the risk of more serious mental health problems developing.

Stress statistics

Only 6% of people said they never got stressed.

When asked about the main cause of stress:

• 28% said money
• 27% work
• 19% family/children
• 12% personal relationships
• 4% health

Work stress

• 60% said they had too much work to do or had a lack of support
• 20% cited lack of promotion or recognition of their work
• 16% the threat of losing their job
• 16% said it was work colleague relationships
• 14% mentioned the relationship with their boss
• 7% said it was being unemployed or unable to find work

Family matters

• 40% worried about their children’s welfare or behaviour, and 6% about their child’s education
•  36% family disagreements
•  24% the welfare of aging relatives
• 12% family gatherings such as Christmas

Personal relationship stress

• 41% blamed their partner’s behaviour
• 29% too many arguments
• 15% being single
• 13% partner not helping with domestic chores
• 6% the chance of break-up for another reason

Money worries

34% were worried about not having enough money for essentials (rent, mortgage or food), while 11% were concerned about pensions.

On coping with stress:

• 63% just live with it
• 30% spend time alone
• 26% eat comfort or junk food
• 14% play sport or take exercise
• 13% drink alcohol or take recreational drugs
• 12% take it out on friends, partners or family members

Only 4% visited a GP or medical professional.

Gender and age gaps

Slightly more women were stressed everyday than men.

More men than women were concerned about work.

More women than men were stressed about their relationship with a work colleague or colleagues.

More women than men were stressed by their children’s welfare.

Women were more likely to turn to comfort or junk food.

Nearly twice as many women discuss problems with friends and family.

More 18-24 year-olds felt stressed every day or every week than other age groups.

Over 65s were the least stressed regularly.