By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor
I’m stressed and anxious enough as it is, but it looks like there is no good news on the horizon, as a report finds that people aged 40-59 are not in a good way.
An ONS study, has found that middle aged people are the least happy, have the lowest levels of life satisfaction and the highest levels of anxiety.
These latest official wellbeing statistics make grim reading, unless you get to 60 and even people over 90 are feeling more chipper than the 40-59 age range.
Personal well-being data from 300,000 adults in the UK has been collected between 2012 to 2015. It found that life satisfaction and happiness reduced in respondents’ aged 35 and over.
Things do improve once people reach 60 and the 65-79 age group have the highest average levels of personal wellbeing, however it dips again after 80. So enjoy those years’ while you can.
It appears middle age is simply too stressful for us, the pressures of ageing parents and young children, adds to general everyday issues.
The report found: “In contrast, those in their middle years may have more demands placed on their time and might struggle to balance work and family commitments.”
“Evidence shows that people are having children later. Therefore, another possible reason for lower scores for the middle-age groups could result from the burden caused by having to care for both parents and children at the same time.”
Rachel Boyd, the head of information at the mental health charity Mind, said: “Although we all face challenging events throughout different stages of our lives, things can be particularly difficult for middle-aged people. They may be juggling the responsibility of caring for older family members at the same time as children, or dealing with other familial disruptions, like bereavement or divorce.
“It is also a stage in life at which the pressures of a job and financial pressures, such as mortgage repayments, might peak. The expectation that you should be reaching the heights of your profession, while also coping with an uncertain job market, could also have an impact.
“If you feel that you or someone you know may have anxiety, it is important to speak to someone, such as your GP or friend or family member, as soon as possible so you are not alone in dealing with it and can get the right help and support.”
