Medichecks

Medichecks State of the Nation report reveals the effects of the pandemic on people’s mental health

Young adults in the UK report the highest levels of stress and anxiety as a result of the pandemic, according to Medichecks, a Nottingham-based home healthcare testing provider. Of the 2,000 adults who participated in the company’s State of the Nation study, 43% reported higher stress levels compared to their mental state pre-lockdown. Medichecks researchers noted a significant age group difference when it came to increased stress during the lockdown. 61% of 18 to 24 year-olds admitted to experiencing more stress as opposed to 25% of over 65 year-olds. 

Factors for increased stress

A lack of social interaction is a clear factor, as noted by the Medichecks report, which found that 61% of the respondents highlighted lack of social interaction as a factor for a worsening of their mental health levels. Other factors included anxiety about coronavirus (56%), family concerns (48%), news (39%) and income (31%). 

Dr Liza Thomas-Emrus, who works alongside Medichecks and is a Mind-Body-Medicine Specialist, explains:

“We found a substantial age gap when analysing the mental health impact of lockdown. While overall 27% reported that they’d struggle to cope with a second peak, this rises to 41% of 18 to 24’s. Less social interaction, an inevitable consequence of social distancing, is clearly a factor. It’s possible that older members of the community are more conditioned to isolation and therefore felt the impact of lockdown less keenly than younger adults.”

Overall, 27% said they would struggle with a second lockdown and 31% of 25 to 34 year-olds would change their living arrangements and enter lockdown in a different household. 

Improving mental health during the pandemic

Making lifestyle changes such as having a healthy diet and exercising regularly is essential when it comes to improving mental health. Indeed, 40% of the participants reported eating healthier during the pandemic and 44% revealed they exercised more often than before in the UK. It is also vital to create a healthy life/work balance, a factor that is becoming increasingly important as more and more people work from home. 48% of the respondents said they would prioritize their family over work commitments in the future and 58% would want to work from home because of the flexibility this offers. A perhaps unexpected tool to help combat stress and anxiety is humour, according to recent scientific findings. Experts recommend having a proper “belly-laugh” at least once a day which not only promotes relaxation but also helps people stay more resilient in the face of challenges.