Wellness Bites!

Stress levels are high in India compared with other developed and emerging countries including the US, the UK, Germany, France, China, Brazil and Indonesia, a new survey by insurance major Cigna has revealed.

About 89 per cent of those surveyed in India said they suffer from stress, compared to the global average of 86 per cent, showed the 2018 Cigna 360° Well-Being Survey – Future Assured.

The key reasons for the high stress levels are work and finance. However, the proportion in India who found stress unmanageable was lower than the global average.

The 2018 Survey adopted a more forward-looking approach, #Future Assured, exploring people’s perceptions and concerns on health and their sense of well-being across five key areas: physical, family, social, finances and work.

For the survey, now in its fourth year, Cigna conducted 14,467 online interviews from February to March 2018 in 23 countries. In India, a sample size of 1,000 respondents in the age group of 25 years and above was surveyed across 20 cities.

Work and finances are the key reasons for stress, with millennials (18-34 years) suffering more than other groups: 95 per cent millennialls reported feeling most stressed and least able to cope.

Nearly, 75 per cent of respondents in India do not feel comfortable talking to a medical professional about their stress; cost is a barrier to seeking professional help.

Prasun Sikdar, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Cigna TTK Health Insurance, said the workplace plays an important role in the health and well-being of an employee. Corporations can include health and wellness programs in every employee’s benefits package, he added.

In India, workplace wellness overall scored high, with about half the respondents saying they are participating in a workplace wellness program.

India scores on well-being

The pain points of stress notwithstanding, India takes the top spot in the overall global well-being Index for the fourth year running. The country only showed slight declines in Physical, Social and Family wellness this year, while respondents remain optimistic about Work and Financial well-being.

The largest percentage falls are in the Physical area were seen in weight and nutrition management, followed by sleep-related challenges.

In the Social pillar, over 50 per cent of those surveyed from India said they do not spend sufficient time with friends or have enough time for hobbies. The dip in Family well-being is mostly due to growing concerns about the ability to financially support parents and children.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/indians-are-stressed-out-by-work-finance-situation/article24413955.ece