Stress levels among Indians higher than other countries

Stress levels in India remain very high compared to other countries. Almost 82% of India's population are suffering from stress and those in the sandwich generation (aged 35-49) are most affected with around 89% reporting some level of stress. These were the findings of the 2019 Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey-Well and Beyond, a survey conducted by Cigna TTK Health Insurance.

The survey cited work, health, and finance related issues as major causes of stress in the country today.

The Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey, now on its fifth year, aims to examine people's perceptions of well-being across five key indexes - physical, family, social, financial and work. The addition of numerous health-related topics makes this Cigna's most comprehensive survey to date. This year's survey shines the spotlight on India's workplace wellness programs, which are more widespread and have higher participation rates than most other markets.

India fared better than the global average when it came to awareness about heart health. Among those surveyed 61% Indians knew their Body Mass Index (compared to 51% globally) and 76% Indians knew their blood pressure (compared to 66% globally).

However, one in three people don't think high blood pressure is curable with lifestyle change, suggesting a gap in heart health education. While only 38% of respondents use wearables to track and manage heart health.

Compared to other generations, the Indian sandwich generation reported the lowest scores across the overall index and are particularly concerned about their physical, finance and work wellness, underscoring the need to address the stress levels and pressures of this generation, the core workforce in the coming years, the survey said.

"Less than half think they are doing well financially. They question their financial ability to meet their parents' medical needs. Only 51% feel confident about their ability compared to 58% of millennials and 62% of those 50+,'' the report said about the sandwich generation.

Another finding in the survey was that 66% of Indian employees feel they have a workplace wellness programme, against 36% globally. However, 71% of those surveyed feel that these programmes concentrate on physical health at the expense of mental well-being.