Revealed: The top ten most stressful life events (yes, buying a home is on the list)

The top ten most stressful life events in the UK have been revealed, with new research* finding sitting exams and watching the news to be more stressful for Brits today than starting a new job or having a child. Buying a property only comes in at number seven on the list, which may come as a surprise to anyone in the process of moving home.

Despite the loss of a family member or friend being named the most stressful life event overall, going through a challenging period financially was revealed to be the most stressful for all age groups under the age of 45, whilst exams and studying topped the list for those under 25.

The survey of 2,000 Brits, conducted by Benenden Health, also found that social media and dating are now considered more stressful than getting married, with advances in technology having a negative impact on the mental wellbeing of the nation.

LIFE IS UNDENIABLY STRESSFUL BUT WHICH SITUATION TRUMPS THE LOT?

Meanwhile, fewer than one in five respondents (16%) said that they believe life was more stressful for their parents’ generation, citing increased financial pressures, demands at work and climate change as key reasons for this shift. According to the research, the top ten most stressful events in our lives today are:

1. The death of a family member or friend

2. Financial challenges

3. Issues at work

4. Change in a relationship

5. Divorce

6. Exams & studying

7. Buying a house

8. Reading/watching the news

9. Having a child

10. Starting a new job

With all of these stressful events taking a toll on the nation’s wellbeing, Benenden Health is calling on Brits to ‘check in’ on their own mental health as well as that of others, not just now but also when faced with any challenging life event.

The call comes as part of the ‘Time for a check in’ campaign, launched last month in partnership with Channel 4.

Having spoken in the campaign on mental health, Davina McCall, said: “Like so many people, I have gone through various stages in my life where I have dealt with poor mental health and life is crazy! It is totally understandable for us to be stressed by the challenges we face in our lives.

Whilst we all manage our own mental health differently, the first step of any solution for me, is to acknowledge when I’m feeling stressed or down and try and open up about it. Most of life’s most stressful events are shared by others we love around us, so these difficult periods in our lives don’t need to be faced alone.”

Cheryl Lythgoe, Matron at Benenden Health, added: “As life’s challenges change over time, we are seeing a shift in what affects our stress levels. Stress impacts us all in different ways so identifying our triggers – as well as those of our loved ones – can help to acknowledge and address any mental health challenges when we are faced with stressful situations.”

EXPERTISE, PURPOSEFULLY APPLIED

Let Harpers of Chiswick take the strain out of moving home. A Chiswick-based residential property consultancy that provides experience in the disciplines of estate agency, residential lettings, property management, holiday guardian, home assist, key holder, property staging and interior design.

*The research was conducted by Censuswide, with 2,006 adults in UK between 14.10.2022 – 17.10.2022.