Women significantly more stressed than men

Women are significantly more stressed than men, suffering sleepless nights thanks to financial worries and fears about their own and their family's health, according to a survey by Bupa UK Health Insurance.

Nearly half of women say they're stressed in their every day lives compared to just four out of 10 men, while the credit crunch has left women feeling far more pressured in the workplace and worrying significantly more than their male counterparts about their finances.

The survey found that one in every two women is experiencing increased stress at work in contrast to just over a third of men, while nearly six out of 10 women fear for their finances compared to less than half of men. And these concerns are compounded by around one in five women worried about their own health losing sleep, while more than a third of women who worry about the health of their families are kept up at night.

Sleep, a good diet and regular exercise have been long regarded as excellent ways to combat stress. However, Bupa's research reveals women are not taking enough care of themselves to ward off the health impacts of worry. Just over a third of women take some form of regular daily exercise, while around one in eight don't do any exercise at all. When it comes to gym or sports club membership, less than one in five women are signed up, compared to just under a third of men.

In addition, more than two out of five women consider themselves overweight, with more than six out of 10 women admitting they don't eat the recommended five portions a day of fruit and vegetables, whilst around two in five say they eat take-away or fast food every week.

Dr Paula Franklin, deputy medical director for Bupa UK Health Insurance, said: "It's not so much the battle of the sexes - but the battle of the stresses. Women are certainly bearing the brunt of Britain's stress both at home and in the workplace, and the situation is being worsened by the impact of the credit crunch.

"At turbulent times like these, when stress levels are soaring, looking after your health and wellbeing must be a priority. For the one in two worried women, know your body and read the stress symptoms -take regular exercise, try to eat a healthy, balanced diet, reduce alcohol consumption and learn how to relax. Take positive action and ensure you don't become another stress statistic."

Bupa has a series of free health fact sheets on coping with stress. Just visit bupa.co.uk/health or your copy.