Increased stress and related illnesses may be a side effect of Britain's economic troubles, it has been revealed.
Three-quarters of Britons are concerned that the credit crunch will have a negative impact on their health and wellbeing as well as their personal finances, new research shows. According to the health and care company Bupa, 90 percent of people expect money worries to lead to increased stress, while four in five believe they may cause stress-related illness.
Concerns over the state of the labour market are also contributing to people's fears, with over one-third of Britons feeling anxious about the security of their jobs and of those, two in five experiencing higher levels of stress as a result. Almost 40 percent are working longer hours in an effort to prove themselves to their employer and keep their job.
Dr Paula Franklin, deputy medical director for Bupa UK Health Insurance, said: "The credit crunch is just as much about a person's health as it is their wealth. As the country's financial health coughs and splutters, the reality is that so do we - our survey shows that more than a third of people are already feeling their stress levels increase."
According to the survey, 80 percent of those experiencing health worries expect to suffer more sleepless nights, while 60 percent believe they will exercise less. Loss of appetite, increased alcohol consumption and reduced libido are other common signs of credit crunch stress, said Dr Franklin.
The Sun newspaper cites a study by researchers at Leeds University which shows that consumers living on a strict budget eat just half of the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
