Research by www.crunch.co.uk suggests self-medication among the UK’s entrepreneurs is reaching worrying levels

New research from Crunch Accounting has today found over one-third of small business owners (35%) currently turn to alcohol to relieve stress.

The survey from Crunch also found that 10% more men (39.5%) than women (29.5%) turn to drink to help them relax. This follows the UK’s chief medical officer’s announcement of new stricter alcohol guidelines.

The research also found that some of the most popular methods used by freelancers to de-stress include exercising (42%), cooking (24%), sex (15%) and meditation (12%).

The small business community named a series of factors that were contributing to rising stress levels, including the unpredictable ebb and flow of work (23%), late payments from clients (13%) and tax and red tape (9%).

Jason Kitcat, micro-business ambassador at Crunch said: “It’s extremely worrying that so many of the freelancers and SMEs that drive our economy forward are turning to drink to deal with stress.

“It’s clear that the government needs to do more to reduce the burden of red tape and ensure that freelancers and small business owners’ rights are being better protected. On average it takes freelancers 25 days to chase a payment, and cashflow is a consistent source of stress, this is simply not good enough.”

“It’s also important to realise that although starting up and running a micro-business can be stressful, it can also be extremely rewarding. This explains why it’s one of the fastest growing sectors of the country’s economy, collectively employing 8.4 million people,” added Kitcat.