The cost of living crisis is negatively affecting people's physical and mental health, with issues including poor sleep and feeling anxious, according to a new poll. The study of 8,000 people for the charity Nuffield Health found many saying healthy food is now too expensive while others are struggling with the cost of cooking.
When people were asked what they thought was having the biggest impact on the nation's overall health, cost of living was cited by 63%, followed by lack of physical activity (46%) and lack of mental health support (38%). In the past year, just over a third (34%) of people said their mental or emotional health has got worse and a similar number (35%) said their physical health has declined.
Those aged 35 to 54 appeared to be the most affected, with 40% reporting a decline in mental health, with issues including feeling anxious. Two in five people said their sleep has worsened, with around half saying this was having a negative impact on their mental health.
