Sunny Suffolk weather could be improving our mental health

The latest research released from our ongoing Emotional Needs Survey shows a significant, prolonged increase in the way people are meeting their need for Movement – one of everyone’s 12 physical and emotional needs.

The survey sees people rate how well they meet each need from -3 to 3, with a score of 1 considered “well met”.

The county’s average jumped from -0.56 to 0.32 from March to April – a height not seen for more than two years, before steadily increasing further to 0.42 in June.

Our Head of Mental Health Education Ezra Hewing said: “Our research shows very encouraging signs for a need which, on average, people haven’t been meeting well for quite a while now.

“As well as increasing levels of vitamin D, which helps improve the quality of our sleep, the great weather we’ve experienced in the last few months has seen lots of us enjoying the amazing outdoors we have on our doorstep here in Suffolk – so it is likely an important contributing factor to this recent uptick.

“It’s important to note however that, like many of our needs, Movement still isn’t being met as well as we’d like to see – so it’s a crucial reminder of why we should all do what we can to stay active.”

In total, just 35.9% of people living in the county were considered to be meeting their need for Movement as of June.

Those in East Suffolk were meeting the need the best, while Mid Suffolk met it least well.

Barriers people listed to meeting their need for Movement included their work situation and caring responsibilities.

Ezra added: “Movement is so important because it helps burn off the stress hormone, cortisol, and releases the body’s natural ‘feel-good’ rewards. These include endo-cannabinoids – which is a bit of a mouthful to say, but the important thing is that they help to lift our mood.

”And we don’t just get these from more vigorous types of exercise. Just taking a walk or dancing along to your favourite songs can make a big difference.

“With lots of the summer left to come, now’s a better time than ever to think about getting active.

“You can also combine it with your other emotional needs like Achievement and Community by joining a sports team or club. There’s something for everyone, really.”