Walking and chatting help reduce coronavirus stress

MOST adults in the UK have suffered stress due to the coronavirus pandemic, with many turning to walks, hobbies and chatting to help them cope, a poll has found.

A survey of 4,251 people by the Mental Health Foundation found 82% had experienced stress as a result of Covid-19.

Nearly six in 10 (59%) of these said walking helped them cope, while half said visiting green spaces such as parks was beneficial.

Chatting to friends and family either online or on the phone was also a stress reliever for 47% of those studied, while 39% said maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as sleeping well and eating healthily, helped them.

Almost four in 10 (38%) said doing their hobby had been helpful for keeping stress under control.

The Mental Health Foundation is working with Cambridge, Swansea, Strathclyde, Queen’s Belfast and De Montfort universities to examine mental health during the pandemic.

Professor Tine Van Bortel, from the University of Cambridge and De Montfort University Leicester, said: “There’s a growing body of strong research evidence about the determinants of our health and wellbeing that is replicated by our findings. Access to nature and safe green spaces, positive social contacts, healthy lifestyles and meaningful activities are all crucial for us to function well.

“There is also strong international evidence that there is no trade-off between public health and the economy – quite the opposite: healthy, happy people make for stronger communities and thriving economies.

“This has important policy implications.

“The Government should create a sustainable wellbeing economy developed with the active involvement of our communities – and a pandemic recovery plan that reaches right across government departments and society itself.

“This would also help to tackle the deep inequalities exposed by the pandemic.”

Antonis Kousoulis, the foundation’s director for England and Wales, said: “At a time of local restrictions, it’s more important than ever that local authorities invest in improving our neighbourhoods and leisure areas, to create safe, green spaces for outdoor activities.

“That is why we are asking the UK Government to take the lead by publishing a cross-government plan to promote people’s mental health and wellbeing.”