Almost half of Brits’ finances have been significantly impacted by the pandemic – with those aged 50-64 affected the most, according to new research by leading health service company, Cigna Europe.

 Over 1,000 Brits took part in the Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey, which reveals that 29% of Brits are unable to maintain their current standard of living, 24% are unable to pay their mortgage or housing – whilst almost 4 in 10 (39%) have no financial security if they are unable to work due to illness.

The research also highlights only 22% of people have sufficient money for retirement, with those aged 35-49 less prepared than any other age group – with almost 1 in 5 (17%) reporting enough savings for retirement plans.

 During International Stress Awareness Week (1^st – 5^th November), Cigna Europe is encouraging the nation to take the world’s first StressWaves Test, a free tool which can tell from the sound of the users voice if they are dangerously stressed.

The new health technology uses artificial intelligence to listen to the pitch, tone, word choice, and pauses in the user’s speech to give a measured reading of their current stress. More than 25,000 Brits have assessed their stress since it was launched in August. 

Cigna Europe’s Clinical Director Dr. Peter Mills shares five top tips on how to help alleviate this stress during times where finances for many still remain uncertain, overall boosting Whole Health. 

1. Regularly exercise or do a daily physical activity – one of the biggest and most effective therapies for people who are stressed; get the heart pumping and boost endorphins.
2. Change the way you eat, in every sense. It goes without saying that food is essential, but if you look at your diet and, in particular, the sugar you consume, you can keep your energy levels higher and help keep fatigue at bay [that can contribute to stress].
3. Sharing your stressful situation – or the things that are making you stressed – with your network: friends, family or colleagues, can be a huge relief. ‘A problem shared…’ is a common phrase for good reason.
4. Take that time to check in with yourself, self-care has never been so important – give your mind and body a break and relieve this stress. Whether it’s by reading a book, drawing a bath, or simply making an exciting meal.
5. Learning techniques from Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) – combatting stress is a life skill and we should be teaching this to people from an early age. Discover how to recognise a situation that drives negative emotions and how those emotions drive negative behaviours to change the way you think.

 For further information and to be kept up to date with the latest offerings and news from within Cigna Europe, please visit https://www.cignaglobal.com/blog/company-news and https://comms.cignaglobal.com/wholehealth-europe.