The High Price of Stress

The High Price of Stress – How to Lower Health Care’s Bottom Line

Companies today carefully calculate their bottom
line, and the current cost of health care is of global concern. Yet, how often
is one important ingredientSTRESSfactored
in?

The Gallup Organization Well Being Index, the
country’s largest poll of health and well-being, polls at least 1,000 adults
daily. Here are some of their recent findings:

> Almost 40% of those polled said they were
significantly stressed the day before.

> Two- thirds
reported at least one chronic health problem, including hypertension and
high cholesterol.

> 28% claimed
they were not well rested.

> Two-thirds of
working adults are overweight or obese.

Based on
respondersanswers, the impact of negative work environment alone results in
12.3 million sick days a month nationwide amounting to about $14 billion a year
in wages.

In addition to these statistics, The American
Psychological Association published an online study reflecting the responses of
1,848 adults. Their findings include the
following:

> 77% experienced physical symptoms during the last
month as a result of stress

> 73% experienced psychological stress during the
last month

> 74% find work a significant source of stress

> 48% of adults lay awake at night because of stress

> 43% overeat or eat unhealthy foods because of
stress

> 55% reported varying degrees of lost productivity
while at work during the past month

> 7% have sought professional support during the
past year

To help us evaluate the financial impact of these
findings, let’s consider one chronic illness, diabetes.The prevalence of diabetes is increasing, partly as
a result of obesity. According to the American Diabetes Association, the total
annual economic impact of diabetes in 2007 was estimated to be $174 billion.
This figure includes medical costs, indirect costs related to increased
absenteeism, reduced productivity, disease related unemployment disability, and
loss of productive capacity due to early mortality. According to the ADA, 20% of health care
dollars is spent caring for someone with diabetes.

The impact of stress on diabetics is well
documented. Not only does stress
directly impact blood sugar control, but, when stressed, people use unhealthy
coping mechanisms such as overeating, smoking and drinking alcohol. Stress also directly impacts the immune system which
inhibits healing.

Wounds heal much more quickly in the absence of stress
as shown by Janice Kiecolt-Glaser , Ohio State University School of Medicine, who
observed that a pencil eraser size wound took 9 days longer to heal in a group
of care givers who were under stress.If we were to integrate stress management techniques
and lifestyle changes into the care of diabetics, the savings could be
astronomical.Let’s consider more facts from Stress in America.
People are losing sleep as a result of
stress. People overeat and experience
cravings when they have too little sleep. Sleepiness can lead to disruption of
family life, an elevated rate of auto accidents (as much as 7 fold increase)
occupational accidents, impaired immune function and increased cardiovascular
events.Forty-three percent of those surveyed reported
overeating in response to stress. We see
the cycle continuing ad infinitum: people experience stress, overeat in
response, become obese, are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular
issues and orthopedic issues.

What
do we do with this information?

Employers are paying a large portion of these costs
in the form of absenteeism, presenteeism (employees who come to work ill, share
that illness with others, and are less productive), health insurance premiums
and Worker’s Compensation premiums. They
are also in a position to reduce the stress reported by 74% of the APA survey who say that work is a significant source of
stress in their lives.If you are an employer, please consider becoming
pro-active in implementing changes.

Consider the following interventions personally and
for your company’s wellness program:

1.
Schedule
time to meditate daily.

The Wall
Street Journal, November 5, 2004, Scan
of MonksBrains show Meditation Alters Structure and Function, talks about Neuroplasticity the brain’s
recently discovered ability to change its structure by expanding or
strengthening circuits that are used and by shrinking or weakening those that
are rarely used. Just as aerobics
sculpts the muscles, mental training sculpts gray matter in ways scientists are
only beginning to fathom.

For those who find it difficult to meditate,
consider starting with Peace of Mind, a relaxation CD for anxiety. It is simple, easy to use and cost effective.
It’s available at www.atlanticcomplementary.com.

2.
Develop a culture of empowerment and
responsibility.

3.
Provide encouragement and opportunities
for employees to adopt healthy habits.

4.
Mediate differences of opinion.

5.
Ask employees for input and hear their
response.

6.
Create a comfortable and peaceful work
environment.

Incorporating these simple and cost effective
actions can and will have a huge impact on personal lives, productivity and
ultimately costs associated with health care.

This article reflects the opinion of the author, Sharon M. O’Connor, RN, CEO

Atlantic
Complementary Medical Solutions, LLC

2
Dearborn Avenue

Hampton,
NH 03842
888-441-3332
sharon@acmswellness.com
www.acmswellness.com