COVID baseline update #3

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many social restrictions have been put in place in the hopes to slow down the spread of the virus. As a result, many of us have had to make changes in our daily lives accordingly. We examined whether self-perceived change in the amount of physical activity and sleep is associated with mental health.

Changes in physical exercise and mental health

More than half of the participants reported some change in the amount of physical exercise, with 43.78% reporting a decrease, and 26.38% reporting an increase in the amount of physical exercise. 29.84% of the participants reported no change in the amount of physical exercise.

Compared to those who reported no change in the amount of physical exericise, those who reported a decrease were more likely to have higher stress (MNoChange = 10.98 vs. MDecrease = 13.12) and anxiety levels (MNoChange = 2.78 vs. MDecrease = 4.01). Interestingly, those who reported an increase in the amount of exercise were also more likely to have higher stress (MIncrease = 12.45) and anxiety levels (MIncrease = 3.81) than those who reported no change.

Changes in sleep amount and mental health

About half of the participants 51.53% reported no change in the amount of sleep. 18.67% reported a decrease, and 29.8% reported an increase in the amount of sleep.

Compared to those who reported no change in the amount of sleep, those who reported a decrease were more likely to have higher stress (MNoChange = 10.47 vs. MDecrease = 15.99) and anxiety levels (MNoChange = 2.62 vs. MDecrease = 5.58). Interestingly, those who reported an increase in the amount of sleep were also more likely to have higher stress (MIncrease = 13.17) and anxiety levels (MIncrease = 4.03) than those who reported no change.