A story of health: what the UK’s wellbeing looks like today

Our research reveals a mixed picture of the nations wellbeing. Our findings point towards recurring themes, from difficulties with mental health and sleep, to barriers around staying active and eating well.

These insights help us better understand the pressures people are facing, and the everyday behaviours shaping their wellbeing. Each section in our report explores these themes and highlights where challenges are most commonly reported, and where people are starting to make changes.

Mental wellbeing is lowest among 18–24s and 45–54s

In our survey of UK adults, those aged 18-24 and 45-54 report the lowest mental health, as 22% and 19% respectively describe theirs as poor. ^{Footnote [1]} The most common pressures affecting Brits are:

• financial stress (39%)
• career-related concerns (26%)
• uncertainty about the future (26%)
• health problems (22%)
• relationship difficulties (20%)
• feelings of loneliness or isolation (19%). ^{Footnote [1]}  

If you’re feeling the impact of these or any other pressures, you’re not alone. Check out the resources below for help:

• If you feel you could be in immediate danger, or you need urgent support please call 999 or visit your nearest A&E department.
• If you need someone to talk to, you can contact Samaritans any time on 116 123 for free 24/7.
• Or if you’re looking for ways to help with managing stress and anxiety check out our articles.

Lack of motivation is the biggest barrier for physical exercise

Nearly a third (31%) of Brits say a lack of motivation is their biggest barrier to regular physical activity. While a quarter (25%) point the finger at not having the time and nearly as many (23%) blame the weather and environmental factors. ^{Footnote [2]}  

Although the NHS recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity most days, one in ten Brits never meet this guideline. ^{Footnote [3]}, ^{Footnote [2]}  Among those who do exercise, less than a quarter (23%) manage it daily. ^{Footnote [1]}  

When people do get moving, their top three choices are:

• walking or hiking (71%)
• gym or fitness classes (30%)
• running or jogging (29%).^{Footnote [2]}

To help overcome common barriers like low motivation or lack of time, explore simple ways to stay active with these best outdoor mobility exercises.

We’re not getting enough sleep

With our surveyed Brits averaging 6.7 hours of sleep per night, below the NHS recommended seven to nine hours, it seems quantity and quality may be the issues. ^{Footnote [4]}, ^{Footnote [5]} One in five, for example, report poor sleep overall while only 10% rate their sleep as “excellent”.^{Footnote [4]}

And while nearly half of men say they feel tired or lack energy as a result of poor sleep, this increases to nearly two thirds for women.^{Footnote [4]}

Two major factors affecting sleep among Brits are stress and screen time:

• Over half believe it’s stress or an overactive mind. 
• Nearly one in two are woken at night by anxiety. 
• An overwhelming majority (94%) use screens within an hour of bedtime and nearly two thirds (61%) do so daily.^{Footnote [4]}

To improve sleep, some turn to technology. More than two in five say they are using wearable tech to track their sleep. And more than three in five of those who track their sleep say this has been helpful in successfully changing their habits based on their data.^{Footnote [4]}

Cost is the biggest barrier to eating healthy food

Over three in five (61%) of those surveyed rate their diet as “good” or “excellent.” ^{Footnote [2]} However, when compared with NHS guidance to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables daily, only 11% are eating four or more portions of fruit.^{Footnote [6]Footnote [2]}

One in ten drink sugary soft drinks every day and while around nine in ten people (89%) say they eat ultra‑processed foods such as sugary snacks, ready meals and sweetened cereals, fewer than one in ten people surveyed (7%) reported eating them once or more a day. Given how prevalent ultra‑processed foods are, this figure appears lower than might be expected and may indicate that some consumers are unsure about what actually counts as an ultra‑processed food.^{Footnote [2]}

Cooking from scratch is one way to take control of what we eat. Yet only one in five people do this daily, and 5% never do. ^{Footnote [2]} The top three barriers to eating healthier are:

1. Cost (36%)
2. Taste preferences (28%)
3. Lack of motivation (23%)

Nearly two in five people, however, are trying to cut back on processed foods.^{Footnote [2]}

More than half think vaping is NOT a safer alternative to smoking

Nearly one in three surveyed Brits currently smoke or use tobacco products with 15% doing so daily. Over a quarter (27%) use e-cigarettes, but not always as a means to quit smoking. One third of those who have vaped, for instance, say they started vaping without an intention of quitting. ^{Footnote [2]}  

More than half (53%) of respondents believe vaping is not a safer alternative to smoking, showing the growing uncertainty around its long-term health impacts.^{Footnote [2]}

And it’s not simply vaping and e-cigarette use. 12% of our surveyed adults say they have used recreational drugs in the past year and nearly four in five consumed alcohol. ^{Footnote [2]} And while one in five (21%)  say they never drink alcohol, some are taking steps to cut back: 

• Nearly one in five (18%) of those who consume alcohol say they are trying to reduce or quit drinking.
• One in eight (13%) of those who smoke say they are trying to quit or reduce smoking.
• Less than 10% of those who vape say they are cutting down on vaping.^{Footnote [2]}

Stopping smoking or vaping can have immediate and long-term benefits for your health. According to the NHS, quitting smoking reduces your risk of serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, and cancer. The benefits can start within hours of your last cigarette. ^{Footnote [7]} Vaping is not risk-free either, while it may be less harmful than smoking, it still exposes you to chemicals that can affect your lungs and overall health.^{Footnote [8]}

Nature and social connection are vital for our health

For some, turning to nature and connecting with others appears to support their wellbeing. Our survey found that:

• four in five people believe that spending time in nature boosts their happiness. 
• nearly three in four report feeling less anxious and stressed after being outdoors.
• more than two in three say it improves their energy levels. 
• more than three in five experience better sleep and concentration.^{Footnote [1]}

Nearly two thirds of our surveyed Brits actively seek out nature to support their mental health, with more than three in five spending time in natural environments at least weekly. ^{Footnote [1]}  

Find out our top tips on outdoor mindfulness.