Counselling Helps Fight Stress

Government concerns over the ill effects of unemployment, debts and relationship breakdowns caused by the current economic climate have led them to bring forward plans to offer counselling to individuals who are suffering. Some medical insurance companies offer free counselling help lines as part of their cover.

Bupa, recently announced a 41% rise in callers who are feeling particularly stressed at their workplace which highlights the government concerns.

It has been known for sometime that emotional distress can cause physical symptoms which eventually, can lead to serious ill health. Stress suppresses the immune system, and released adrenaline and noradrenalin into the blood system: these chemicals increase your blood pressure which can have serious health implications.

Long term stress can cause serious emotional disturbances. Anxiety and depression are prolific in the UK and work hours are thought to be lost every year to people who are finding life difficult. According to the Health and Safety Executive:

'Each case of stress-related ill health leads to an average of 29 working days lost,' and

'Over half a million people report experiencing work-related stress at a level they believe has actually made them ill.'

Some of the symptoms of long term stress are:

Increased irritability
Feelings of anxiety
Crying
Loss of concentration
Heightened sensitivity to criticism
Drinking and smoking more
Signs of tension, such as nail-biting
Difficulty getting to sleep and early morning waking
Indigestion
Sweating
Palpitations

Talking therapy is considered to be one of the most important elements in recovery from stress. Talking things through and getting things off your chest can be immensely helpful. One of the most important aspects of talking therapy is that it can help you discover the simple steps that will help you to tackle your situation in a practical way. This is the route to change.

Some health insurance companies recognise the importance of this and therefore offer free telephone counselling services as part of their health insurance cover.

Standard Life offer unlimited access to a 24hr counselling helpline as part of the Healthy Rewards element of their health insurance cover.

Norwich Union also offers a free 24 hour GP and Stress Counselling Helpline service.

It will be interesting to see if other private medical insurance companies follow suit and provide free counselling. It could prove to be a preventative measure that will help to ward off stress related symptoms and conditions. This will benefit both the insurers and their customers.