People in Wales say they’re too cold, busy and tired for regular exercise

NEW SURVEY DATA: Charity launches mental health movement campaign as people in Wales say they’re too cold, busy and tired for regular exercise

• This Mental Health Awareness Week people are encouraged to move more for our mental health with #MomentsForMovement

The Mental Health Foundation launch #MomentsForMovement campaign as data from a new poll released today reveals that the weather, feeling too tired, or being too busy with work or education are stopping many people in Wales from getting the mental health benefits of physical activity.

Despite 82% of adults in Wales recognising the mental health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity, many are struggling to be active. When asked about a typical week, one third of respondents (32%) said the weather stopped them, three in ten (31%) said they felt too tired or lacking in energy, while one in five (21%) said they were too busy with work or study.

Only one in five respondents (21%) said they were happy with the amount of physical activity they did in a typical week.

The survey of 987 adults in Wales was carried out on behalf of the Mental Health Foundation by Opinium*. The findings along with insights from focus groups held across the UK are discussed in the charity’s report ‘Moving more is good for our mental health.  So, what’s stopping us?’ published today for Mental Health Awareness Week

Jemma Wray, Head of Wales at the Mental Health Foundation, said: “Many people across Wales are facing barriers to the movement and physical activity which can support them to have good mental health.  The challenges of our everyday living with work, education, caring responsibilities, paying the bills, can get on top of us and the idea of doing some physical activity might feel like too much of a chore.

“Moving our bodies regularly is proven to support good mental health, even more so if we’re feeling down or have low energy. That’s why this Mental Health Awareness Week we’re encouraging people to find #MomentsForMovement with an activity they enjoy.

“In our research we found that barriers to movement increased even more for people with a disability, for parents and young people.  Naming these barriers is an important first step but we want to use this Mental Health Awareness Week to explore how we address them. We want to ask how we can support each other to build movement into our lives.”

The charity is encouraging millions of people to find #MomentsForMovement in their daily lives during Mental Health Awareness week.  As part of the campaign, the Mental Health Foundation is sharing tips to help people move more and increase the mental health benefits of the movement they do. Many Mental Health Awareness Week activities will be taking place across the UK with many schools, workplaces and community groups taking part.  People are encouraged to share what they are doing on social media as part of the #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek conversation and inspire others to get involved.

For more information on Mental Health Awareness Week visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw

Wales Key Points

MHAW Report 2024