As we learn more about our health, many of us are taking proactive steps to live a better lifestyle by eating well, staying active, and protecting our mental wellbeing. In the digital age, we have access to more information than ever, so you might find it easier to make positive, informed choices about your health.
However, unprecedented access to information could have a negative side too as it may cause “health anxiety” – a tendency to worry unnecessarily about your health and wellbeing.
It seems like every day there is a different news story about a food that is bad for you, and guidelines about how much exercise you need to stay healthy are always shifting. There is much conflicting information online too, so it can be hard to know how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
All this could lead to health anxiety, and in some cases, these concerns could have a significant effect on your mental wellbeing.
Fortunately, finding the right protection for you and your family could go a long way towards alleviating health anxiety.
Read on to learn how.
Protection helps to ensure that your family is financially secure if you fall ill
Health anxiety could be partly driven by concerns about your family, and how they would cope if you had a serious illness. Would they be able to manage financially if you were unable to work, for instance? What would happen to the household finances if you passed away?
These financial worries could exacerbate the concerns you feel about your health. If you do fall ill, financial problems could also add more stress during an already difficult time.
Luckily, the right protection could help to eliminate those financial stresses so if you do fall ill, you can focus on recovering and spending valuable time with your family.
Income protection
Income protection provides a regular monthly payment – normally a percentage of your salary – if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. Having this safety net in place means you can be confident that your living expenses are covered until you’re able to return to work.
Depending on how much you receive, you may be able to continue contributing to savings and investments for the future too. This means that an illness is unlikely to significantly disrupt your financial plan.
Critical illness cover
Income protection can help you cover your monthly outgoings if you’re out of work due to injury or illness. However, the payments are typically lower than your salary so, if you’re out of work for a long period of time, you could find it difficult to meet all your financial goals.
If you’re diagnosed with a serious illness, you may face significant added healthcare costs too.
In this instance, critical illness cover may be more suitable. These policies pay a lump sum, much like life insurance, when you’re diagnosed with a qualifying illness.
You and your family could use these funds to pay off the mortgage, cover your living expenses, manage additional costs associated with your illness, or fund your retirement.
Life insurance
If the worst happened and you were to pass away unexpectedly, life insurance could help your family remain financially secure. They might use the funds to clear the mortgage and pay their living costs, despite no longer having your income.
Your loved ones could use wealth from a life insurance payout to work towards their own financial goals too.
Overall, having protection in place means that, should you fall ill or even pass away, you can rest easy in the knowledge that your family may be financially secure. Being prepared in this way could mean that you’re less likely to worry about your health now.
Many providers offer added benefits that could help you manage your health
Keeping track of your wellbeing can help you identify potential problems early and make lifestyle changes to improve your health. This might be easier if you have protection in place because many insurance providers offer added benefits and access to health services.
Your policy might include:
- Annual blood tests
- Private GP appointments
- Nutrition support
- Physiotherapy
- Mental health care
- Discounts on gym memberships.
Taking advantage of these added benefits could give you more insight and stop you from worrying as much. For instance, if you have regular blood tests, you have more clarity about your health and may be less concerned about unexpected health problems in the future.
Using benefits such as GP appointments, discounted gym memberships, or nutrition advice also makes it easier to access treatment and live a generally healthy lifestyle.
Mental health support could also help you work through health anxiety and feel more confident about your wellbeing.
Consequently, these benefits help you gain control over your wellbeing, and this could reduce any health anxiety you feel.
Get in touch
We can help you achieve the peace of mind that comes with adequate protection.
Please get in touch to find out how our team of VouchedFor Top Rated planners could help today.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.
Note that financial protection plans typically have no cash in value at any time and cover will cease at the end of the term. If premiums stop, then cover will lapse.
Cover is subject to terms and conditions and may have exclusions. Definitions of illnesses vary from product provider and will be explained within the policy documentation.