Relieving Stress by Planning for the Future can help Extend Life Expectancy

PHOENIX, Nov. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Search the web today and a variety of research-based articles regarding extending life expectancy will appear.  Some include the obvious healthy habits such as exercising, eating more fruits and vegetables and not smoking. Others include not so common items such as learning a new language, volunteering and eating dark chocolate. But one recommendation found on nearly every list--reduce stress and anxiety.

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What are the long-term effects of not reducing stress?  According to HelpGuide.org, an online health resource guide, constant stress puts pressure on your immune system so you become more susceptible to illness and disease. Moreover, chronic stress—whether from internal or external sources-- can cause a number of health issues including heart disease, digestive and sleep problems, depression, obesity and eczema. 

Stress caused by external factors like a stressful job, long commute or a destructive relationship can be alleviated in obvious ways but some stressors are self-generated. One in particular is the inability to accept uncertainty. "I've seen some clients come into my office feeling very anxious about the lack of control in their financial situation and they worry about their family's future should they lose their jobs or much worse, die prematurely," states an Orange-County based financial planner who sells life insurance among other financial products. She continued to say she has seen first-hand the peace of mind purchasing life insurance brings to these clients knowing their family has an emergency financial safety net.

For those anxious about the future, taking positive measures to exert control over some areas in life can go far in dialing down that anxiety, which can help slow down the aging process. A 2011 study conducted by the research firm LIMRA found that 27 percent of the more than 2000 people polled online in a 2011 Insurance Barometer Study were very concerned about leaving their family in a worse financial state in the event of their early death.

Someone who provides half to all of a family's income is a perfect example of one that needs to have a policy in place.  An eliminated stress being worrying about the negative and financial impact your loss of income will have on a grieving family. In fact, depending on the amount of coverage selected, a spouse can have a death  benefit payout that can help pay off remaining debt, medical bills, retirement fund and in some cases, all or some college tuition for surviving children.

A real-life example is a businessman who shared his own personal experience at a meeting with his work peers. For years he had bought and sold life insurance with his main focus on the financial benefits it provided. His entire outlook changed on 9/11 when he was traveling by plane when he and the other passengers were told by the pilot that the plane would have to land early. He said he first felt afraid but then when he saw the fear on the other passengers' faces, his fear turned into a sense of calm knowing that his family would be taken care of financially should he lose his life that day. Thankfully he did not lose his life but was left with a deeper understanding of the emotional benefit of having a life insurance policy and often shares that experience with his clients.

Another real-life example is a forty-something couple who believed in the benefits of life insurance and had a policy in place to provide financial support to the wife and their three young boys should the husband die prematurely. Both parents worked in a volatile job industry and money was tight so they got behind on paying some of their bills. They got a few months behind on paying their life insurance premiums and unknowingly let the time run out to keep their policy active and it was terminated. Less than two weeks later, the husband died in a tragic car accident and the wife received nothing from the term life insurance policy they had dutifully paid the premiums each month for years. Instead of paying off the family home as they planned so the family could remain in spite of the loss of income, the wife was forced to leave the home and raise her children in an apartment until she could earn enough money for a down payment on another home. This was not the scenario the couple had planned for.

While most people know the financial benefits of owning a life insurance policy should the unthinkable happen, it still falls down the priority list for many as other expenses get higher billing. However, for those who have taken advantage of the competitive rates of today's life insurance policies, they can be rest assured it is one less thing to cause them stress about the future—and that peace of mind can go a long way toward better health.

www.CompassQuote.com is an independent insurance broker that represents many of the country's top insurance companies. They help consumers save money and time by providing information on what financial products each of the companies specialize in so they can make the best informed decision for their individual situations.  Compass Quote can assist with alleviating these worries and thus reducing stress and preparing for the future!  To learn more go to www.compassquote.com.  

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SOURCE www.CompassQuote.com