The evidence of the benefits of movement to both physical and mental health is well documented. Our research showed that 82% of people believe that regular physical activity is important for mental health and wellbeing. However, over a third of UK adults do not meet the recommendations set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In our new report, we explore what’s stopping the UK population from being more active, and what could help get people moving more for their mental health.
Regular physical activity is proven to improve mental health, quality of life, and wellbeing. It also helps prevent and treat heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and breast and colon cancer, and more. Despite these benefits being well established, physical inactivity continues to be a global health issue.
In the UK, 36% of adults (aged 18+) do not meet the physical activity recommendations set out by the World Health Organisation.
At the same time, the UK Chief Medical Officer’s physical activity guidelines emphasise that people who are the least active have the most to gain from doing more. Even small increases in physical activity levels can result in a range of physical and mental health benefits: “Any activity is better than none, and more is better still”1.
Physical inactivity negatively affects both physical and mental health. Research has found that people who are inactive have three times the rate of moderate to severe depression of active people. There is also strong evidence to support the role of physical activity in the reduction of symptoms of depression and anxiety. Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of depression by up to 30%. Many other mental health benefits of being active have been identified, including increased self-esteem, reduced stress, and improved quality of life.
And yet, over a third of people are not meeting the recommended guidelines. In our research however, when we asked the UK population if they believed that regular physical activity is important for mental health and wellbeing, 82% of UK adults agreed. So why the disconnect?
We can all find it difficult to be active from time to time. However, there are also health inequalities related to physical inactivity that can affect someone’s ability to move more, including income, gender, age, ethnicity, and disability. Higher levels of inactivity disproportionately affect certain populations, such as people with long-term health conditions and people living in areas of socio-economic deprivation.
Recent research suggests that existing inequalities in inactivity have been further widened by the Covid-19 pandemic, and that this gap is most significant for some people from minority ethnic communities and people from lower socio-economic groups. However, to address inequalities in physical inactivity and support people to move more, it is important to understand the barriers faced by the population in relation to being physically active.
82%
of UK adults acknowledge its importance for mental health and overall wellbeing
Over a third (37%)
of adults in the UK find it challenging to allocate time for physical activity
28%
report feeling too tired or fatigued to engage in physical activity
What are the mental health benefits of movement?
Our bodies and our minds are connected, so looking after ourselves physically also helps us prevent problems with our mental health. Exercise releases “feel good” hormones, that reduce feelings of stress and anger. It also helps us feel better about our bodies. It can improve our sleep too. If it involves other people, like being part of a team, a class or group we see regularly, that can also boost our mental health.
The mental health and wellbeing benefits of moving more include:
- less tension, stress, and mental fatigue
- a natural energy boost
- a sense of achievement
- more focus and motivation
- feeling less angry or frustrated
- having fun
- an opportunity to connect with others.
In our survey, more than four in five people (82%) agreed that regular physical activity is important for mental health and wellbeing.
“You feel just a sense of accomplishment, so that’s why it boosts my mental health.”
“I know when I do go out for a walk, I come back feeling a lot better.”
How can we support people to move more?
Our research showed that the barriers to undertaking physical activity are wide and varied and many people need support. We asked in our survey what would help you become more physically active:
It’s clear that – other than better weather (42%) – people need help to find activities they enjoy (31%) that are low cost and local (29%). This was also borne out in the focus groups where people felt that doing an activity they enjoy can transform exercise from a mundane task into a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.
Ultimately, there is only so much we can overcome as individuals. Like most things that are good for our mental health such as eating a healthy diet, staying out of debt, or getting good sleep, it is much easier to be physically active when we feel secure in our homes, have adequate income to cover essential living costs, are not living with a long-term health condition, and are not subject to racism or discrimination.
Being able to protect our own mental health should not be a luxury. But too many people are denied the chance to do things that are good for mental health due to poverty, financial strain, and inequality. It is these root causes that must be addressed if we are to achieve our vision of good mental health for all.
The Mental Health Foundation wanted to better understand the views and experiences of people at higher risk of poor mental health in relation to physical activity. So late last year we held focus groups across the UK and spoke to a range of people, including: families and young people affected by poverty and financial strain; people living with long term health conditions; asylum seekers and refugees; and people with lived experience of poor mental health.
Next, in March 2024, we conducted an online survey working with Opinium of 6,000 UK adults aged 18+ (weighted to be nationally representative) to help us develop a more detailed understanding of the challenges and barriers to physical activity for people more at risk of poor mental health. This document details our findings.
