Great Britain
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Half of Brits have tried to make positive lifestyle changes in past year - but failed

More than half of Brits have tried to make positive lifestyle changes over the last 12 months – but have only stuck to them for an average of seven weeks before giving up, research has found.

The top positive changes Brits have attempted to make to their habits include exercising more often, going to bed earlier, and hitting 10,000 steps each day.

But one in five (21%) have only been able to keep up these new habits for a month before lapsing back to their old ways, according to a poll of 2,000 adults.

Other well-meaning but short-lived new habits include eating less sugar, giving up or cutting back on alcohol intake, using their phone less, and having more “me time”.

However, it also emerged that 54% have vowed to only make little changes to their lifestyle from now on – with nearly three-quarters (72%) believing they are more achievable and realistic than bigger shifts.

Eating more salad - and less meat - are also important lifestyle changes (

Image:

Eye Ubiquitous/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)

The research was commissioned by centre:mk to launch its environmental exhibition, to highlight the impact of small changes.

Their spokeswoman, Kim Priest, said: “It’s interesting to see the habits people try and make as part of their daily routine, but give up on.

“We all have goals we want to implement into our lifestyles, but often it’s easier said than done.

“But we believe one small change at a time can have a big impact in the long run.

“It’s easier to concentrate on smaller adjustments and give it all your focus, rather than feeling overwhelmed by lots of big changes to diet, fitness, finances, and environmental habits.”

The study also found two-thirds (67%) of adults are more likely to fail at sticking to a lifestyle change if they attempt too many at once.

Reasons for initially implementing changes included improving physical health (32%), saving money (31%), and to do their bit for the planet (24%).

But lack of willpower (27%), motivation (27%), and time (20%) resulted in failing.

When successfully sticking to a new habit, people feel positive (37%) and proud (30%) – but disappointed (34%) and frustrated (28%) when they don’t.

Making time to read more also ranked among the top ten positive habits (

Image:

Ernesto Rogata/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)

It also found physical health changes are the most important to Brits (33%), followed by social and behavioural (27%), and environmental (22%).

And three-quarters (74%) believe if everyone made a small environmental change to their lifestyle, it would collectively have a big impact on the planet.

Nearly half (48%) of those polled, via OnePoll, have made more adjustments to their lifestyle as they’ve got older.

Situations including the Covid pandemic (29%), a health scare (25%), and becoming a parent or grandparent (21%) made people want to make a change.

The likes of social media (21%) and the news (19%) have also inspired people to overhaul their habits, as well as family (30%) and friends (27%).

Kim Priest added: “We’re excited to launch an exhibition at the centre this month that showcases our environmental and social achievements, and the impact these have made so far and continue to make.

“We’ll also be displaying plaques in specific locations around the centre highlighting some of the little things we’ve changed and the results of these – from saving energy, reducing waste and CO2, as well as making a difference to the wider community.”

TOP 40 LIFESTYLE CHANGES BRITS HAVE FAILED TO STICK TO IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS:

  1. Exercising more often
  2. Going to bed earlier
  3. Hitting 10,000 steps each day
  4. Reducing my sugar intake
  5. Going on my phone less
  6. Giving up or cutting back on my alcohol intake
  7. Eating more salad
  8. Reading more
  9. Recycling my rubbish
  10. Having more “me time”
  11. Meal planning for the week ahead
  12. Eating less meat
  13. Cycling or walking over driving
  14. Taking quicker showers
  15. Reducing the amount of takeaway I order
  16. Keeping houseplants alive
  17. Shopping in BYO stores e.g. fill up your own bottles of milk
  18. Buying loose food rather than packaged e.g. bananas without a plastic wrapper
  19. Changing to a reusable razor rather than disposable
  20. Meditating
  21. Turning off sockets when not in the room
  22. Recycling clothes rather than throwing them away e.g. giving to charity shops
  23. Not over-filling the kettle
  24. Turning off lights when not in the room
  25. Using reusable make-up wipes rather than disposable
  26. Going to the gym more often
  27. Turning off the tap when brushing my teeth
  28. Freezing or reusing leftovers rather than throwing them away
  29. Buying locally produced food
  30. Giving more to charity e.g. either time, things, or money
  31. Taking a lunch-time walk/break
  32. Using reusable carrier bags
  33. Using reusable coffee cups and water bottles
  34. Trying a vegetarian diet
  35. Cooking in bulk
  36. Keeping a journal
  37. Trying a vegan diet
  38. Using metal or paper straws rather than plastic
  39. Growing my own food
  40. Volunteering

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