New research reveals it’s not just older workers who are struggling and employers have a vital role to play. A new study from Vista Health, based on a survey of 7,000 UK adults aged 40–65, has unveiled a sobering snapshot of midlife health showing that many workers in this age group are living with regret about missed health opportunities in their younger years. However, they still aren’t taking any action to close the gap between health awareness and healthy behaviours.

While long-term sickness in the UK reaches record highs, this group which often juggles demanding jobs, caregiving for ageing parents, and raising children, is falling short of essential health benchmarks in sleep, diet, and exercise. These aren’t just elder workers edging toward retirement. This is a vibrant, experienced, and essential section of the workforce whose wellbeing directly impacts organisational productivity, engagement, and resilience.

The research finds that 1 in 5 midlife workers (19%) wish they had worked less in their 30s, and more than a quarter (27%) wish they had managed stress better. Other top regrets include not exercising regularly (45%), not eating a healthier diet (41%), and not prioritising sleep (24%).

Today, 75% of midlife workers report being worried about their health. For many, concern begins soon after turning 40, with the so-called “midlife health crisis” most often triggered by weight gain (33%), feeling “not like themselves” (32%), or receiving a health diagnosis (22%).

Despite increased health concerns, the majority of midlife workers are not meeting essential health guidelines:

Exercise: 69% are failing to meet the recommended 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. Workers in the arts are especially inactive, averaging only 93.8 minutes weekly.

Nutrition: On average, this group consumes just 2.7 portions of fruit and vegetables daily—far below the recommended five.

Sleep: The average midlife worker gets just 6.5 hours of sleep a night, under the 7–9 hours advised.

Alcohol: While 40% are teetotal, 14% are drinking more than the recommended 14 units per week.

The research, presented in Vista Health’s Midlife Clarity Index Report, assigns a health score and a health clarity score to participants. While midlife workers slightly outperform the national average (70.2 vs 69.8), there is a clear disconnect between what they know is important and what they’re doing about it.

Mental health still goes unspoken

Perhaps most worryingly, while 90% of respondents say they’d seek help for a physical health issue, 25% say they would not seek support for mental health concerns. This rises to 29% among those working in retail. And yet, 76% of respondents report experiencing daily stress, and a quarter have already sought mental health support since turning 40.

Dr Reem Hasan, NHS GP and Chief Medical Officer at Vista Health, said, “It’s concerning to see so many midlife workers not meeting basic health needs. Midlife does not always have to be a crisis, it can be a moment of clarity and change. But support is crucial. Employers can and must take action to make health a priority.”

With long-term sick leave at unprecedented levels, the stakes for employers couldn’t be higher. Investing in workforce wellbeing, particularly for those in midlife, is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic one.

Vista Health is urging organisations to rethink their benefits offering, incorporating proactive health and wellbeing solutions tailored to this demographic. From comprehensive workforce health checks to bespoke assessments, employers can take practical steps to empower their teams toward midlife health ’clarity’ not crisis.