View all newsletters
Sign up to our newsletters

Support 110 years of independent journalism.

  1. Science & Tech
  2. Coronavirus
16 April 2020updated 04 Sep 2021 6:26pm

Nearly half of Britons suffering from high anxiety because of coronavirus crisis

Nearly half of Britons (47 per cent) are suffering from high levels of anxiety as a consequence of the coronavirus crisis, according to data from an Office For National Statistics (ONS) survey. 

One in five adults reported feelings of loneliness. 53 per cent said the outbreak had affected their well-being, and of those people, 72 per cent said they were worrying about the future, 46 per cent said they felt bored, and 26 per cent said their mental health had worsened. 

The survey also shone a light on the different activities the public are turning to in order to cope with the lockdown. Staying in touch with family and friends over the phone, social media or video conferencing was the most popular method of coping (77 per cent), followed by watching films (55 per cent), spending time with others in the same property (54 per cent) and daily exercise outside the house (47 per cent).

Other coping mechanisms included reading (39 per cent), gardening (38 per cent), and cooking (34 per cent). Just 14 per cent of people reported using the lockdown period to learn something new.

The ONS surveyed UK residents between 27 March and 6 April.

Content from our partners
Inside the UK's enduring love for chocolate
Unlocking the potential of a national asset, St Pancras International
Time for Labour to turn the tide on children’s health

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
  • Administration / Office
  • Arts and Culture
  • Board Member
  • Business / Corporate Services
  • Client / Customer Services
  • Communications
  • Construction, Works, Engineering
  • Education, Curriculum and Teaching
  • Environment, Conservation and NRM
  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
  • HR, Training and Organisational Development
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Services, Statistics, Records, Archives
  • Infrastructure Management - Transport, Utilities
  • Legal Officers and Practitioners
  • Librarians and Library Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • OH&S, Risk Management
  • Operations Management
  • Planning, Policy, Strategy
  • Printing, Design, Publishing, Web
  • Projects, Programs and Advisors
  • Property, Assets and Fleet Management
  • Public Relations and Media
  • Purchasing and Procurement
  • Quality Management
  • Science and Technical Research and Development
  • Security and Law Enforcement
  • Service Delivery
  • Sport and Recreation
  • Travel, Accommodation, Tourism
  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU