Sex, smoking, overeating – how do we deal with our emotions?

 
17th August 2006

New research highlights the techniques adopted by people in the UK to manage their emotions

New research conducted in the UK as well as the USA and five other European countries, by Bach Original Flower Remedies, has discovered we often adopt destructive strategies in an attempt to manage our emotions.  In the UK people tend to become anti-social or aggressive or worse still turn to alcohol, cigarettes or even drugs. The research highlights the need for people to learn positive ways to take control of their emotions.

Loved ones suffer

The research, which was conducted in the USA, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, discovered people are taking their emotions out on their loved ones.  In the UK, 72% of those questioned admitted to being open with their family, friends and loved ones. However, when emotions are running high 56% of people confessed to becoming argumentative and 57% shut themselves off from loved ones or colleagues.

 
Unhealthy habits

The research also discovered that in all the countries surveyed a significant number of people seek emotional comfort in food, alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. 

In the UK alone:

• 46% of us turn to food.  It is therefore unsurprising that 81% believe obesity is a condition related to their emotional state

• 41% turn to alcohol – the highest percentage of all the countries surveyed

• 20% to cigarettes

• 7% to recreational drugs - this equates to 4.1 million people across the country

Positive responses

Fortunately, the research also discovered that some people are adopting positive strategies for managing their emotions. In the UK people use a whole host of techniques to clear their head:

• 49% go for a walk

• 44% unwind in a relaxing bath

• 46% work out in the gym

• 33% turn to sex to help them deal with emotional stress

Judy Ramsell Howard, custodian and director of the Dr. Edward Bach Centre, commented: "Every person deals with their emotions differently, and this research has highlighted that people frequently adopt unhealthy habits in an attempt to relieve their distress.  The research also demonstrates that different people find that different positive coping techniques - such as a soak in the bath or physical exercise - can work for them.  However, many people also turn to complementary health to help manage their emotions, and in my experience many complementary therapies can be hugely beneficial in helping people relax and feel more positive about life." 

Whatever is causing your emotional distress, Bach Original Flower Remedies can help you balance your emotions and discover your true potential. Developed by Dr Edward Bach in the 1930’s, the 38 individual Bach Original Flower Remedies are a simple, safe and effective medicine to help promote emotional well-being.

- Ends -

Notes to Editors:

Dr Bach devised seven emotional groups under which he categorised 38 individual flower remedies, each of which relates to a specific emotional state.

Only the Bach signature guarantees that you receive the genuine Bach Original Flower Remedies prepared as they have been since Dr Bach’s time with tinctures made exclusively at the Bach Centre, Mount Vernon. 

Nelsons is the UK's leading manufacturer of natural healthcare, with a long-standing commitment to supplying the highest quality natural medicines that meet all regulatory and quality standards. Their brands are recognised and sold in over 60 countries worldwide and include Rescue Remedy®, Bach™ Original Flower Remedies, Arnicare™, Nelsons Teetha™, Nelsons Homeopathy, Spatone™ and Pure 'n Clear™.

Summary of Key Research Findings

Across the globe we all cope with our emotions differently:

• In all of the countries surveyed, except France, a large percentage admitted to shutting themselves off from loved ones
• In France a staggering 55% ‘punish’ their loved ones by not turning up to pre-arranged meetings

• The British and Spanish are the most likely to turn to food when feeling emotional
• When it comes to alcohol, the British are the most likely to have a drink when feeling emotional
• In all the countries, over 40% (44%), on average, admitted that they like to unwind in a bath

Emotions are even to blame for our physical health:

• And average of 89% across all the countries surveyed blame their emotions for their physical health
• In Britain, this figure is 91%
• A range of physical health problems are identified.  In the UK, over three-quarters (76%) and 61% believe emotions play a role in high blood pressure and irritable bowel symptoms
• Weight gain and weight loss also rate highly across all countries as affected by our emotional states
• Over three quarters (77%) of all countries, on average, believe that weight loss is affected by our emotions
• In the European countries, an average of 69% believe our emotional state plays a role in obesity
• In the USA, this figure is a staggering 89%

Emotions can impact on our emotional and relationships:

• Over 50% (52%), on average, across all countries believe their emotions can cause them to become argumentative with loved ones
• When it comes to the work environment, 35% of the UK working population think their emotional state causes them to lack confidence with work colleagues
• In UK, number of days people have had to take off work due to an emotional overload has been calculated – in total across the UK this lies a whopping 78 million days a year, or £3billion lost to the economy.