Today is the start of International Stress Awareness Week, which incorporates National Stress Awareness Day (held every year on the first Wednesday in November).

Now, let’s face it, we have all had our fair share of stress days in 2020. No question, it has been a sure-fire stress year! Covid-19 has wreaked havoc with our lives, and in lots of cases struck at the very heart of our emotional wellbeing.

In these turbulent times, amidst a worldwide pandemic that shows no sign of easing up as we head into the dark winter months, many companies and individuals are either wrestling with mental health issues, or are worried about the mental welfare of their family, friends or work colleagues.

The latest figures are a concern. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in their June 2020 report ‘Coronavirus and depression in adults, Great Britain’, almost one in five adults (19.2%) were likely to be experiencing some form of depression during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic [in the month of June 2020]. This figure had nearly doubled from around one in 10 adults (9.7%) before the pandemic fully struck (July 2019 to March 2020).

Feeling stressed or anxious was the most common way adults felt their wellbeing was being affected, the report also found, with 84.9% admitting this.

International Stress Awareness Week 2020 is hoping to provide a platform for stress and mental health problems to be highlighted. Subjects that this year’s event is hoping to focus on include:

• Experiences people have with mental health challenges and what can be done to help them
• How employers are responding to mental health issues and what can be learnt
• Campaigning against the stigma associated with stress and mental health issues
• The role of stress management professionals in alleviating stress, with practical and proven techniques for building resilience
• What further actions need to be taken in the light of the pandemic and possible changes in future working practices
• Ensuring that those suffering from stress know where to go to seek advice

Here at Lifetime we would encourage everyone who is suffering from stress and anxiety to talk to someone who may be able to help them in someway.

As well as coronavirus, stress, anxiety and depression are prevalent for all kinds of other reasons too, including potential job losses and other financial concerns.

And this is where a conversation with a professional is crucial. It could lead to help, guidance and advice that may play a key part in alleviating your worries.

Recent research by Royal London backs up our belief. Their survey duly confirmed that interaction with a professional financial adviser, and the receiving of quality advice, can deliver more than just the financial benefits but can also help people feel better about their personal money matters, and also about themselves.

Remember, worrying about money is not limited to those with debt. People worry about saving for a home, the cost of raising a family, funding relatives in care, where to invest their savings, losing their job…the list goes on.

For many, financial worries directly impact their daily life, with stress causing a lack of sleep and potentially other mental or physical health problems. Job losses are one major area of concern, but worry over finances can also lead to poor levels of engagement and concentration at work, low productivity levels, and higher rates of absenteeism.

You may ask just what are the benefits of seeking financial guidance? Well, one of the chief benefits could well be that you end up feeling far less stressed about your money!

Look after yourselves.