Nine in ten Brits are facing daily déjà vu, claiming they are stuck in their very own version of Groundhog Day, according to new research.
Commissioned by natural source water brand, Highland Spring, the study of 1,500 adults took an in depth look into the daily routines of Brits and discovered the extent to which we are creatures of habit, with 67 percent of us saying we are “stuck in a rut.”
But the appetite for change is there, with the average Brit spending six hours every week dreaming about doing things differently, going somewhere new, trying new experiences or doing something they have never done before.
As many as 22 percent of Britons eat the same lunch every day, while one in five order the exact same take-away on a Friday night and 21 percent cook the same meals on rotation week in, week out.
More than one in three (37 percent) said they leave the house at precisely the same time every day and one in ten buy the same bottle of wine week in, week out.
And 14 percent said they have the same conversation with their other half every evening about the same things, including people and work.
Nearly three quarters (71 percent) of safe and steady Brits have booked the same holiday more than once, with the typical holiday maker travelling back to their favourite destination FIVE times.
Furthermore, according to the data, 84 percent don’t ever stray from their weekly shopping list and only 16 percent said they like to mix things up and try new foods.
It isn’t just our food choices that we are wedded to. People’s jobs were found to be the most repetitive area of their life, followed by their cleaning routine and daily commute.
The poll marks the launch of Highland Spring’s ‘H20omph’ campaign which encourages the nation to celebrate life by venturing outside of their comfort zone, just a little bit. Behavioural psychologist, Jo Hemmings, said:
“Over a third of Brits (35 percent) said that being a creature of habit was just a part of life, and familiarity can be very comforting.
“But while routine is comforting, it can also be a major cause of boredom, demotivation and can leave us feeling like it’s Groundhog Day! There are so many quick and easy, big and small ways we can mix things up and make the most of everyday. Take a routine work day - and shake it up a bit. Small changes can make big improvements in our daily routine.
More than four in ten (45 percent) worry about the cost of trying new things and 16 percent reckon they are scared of the unknown but trying new experiences needn’t be expensive or scary!
“We do need an element of predictability to reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. Modifying certain areas of our lives, such as trying a different sport, or simply changing our regular meal times or journeys, enables us to break out of the monotony cycle and has been shown to make us more adventurous overall. We have a release of feel good endorphins during exercise for example, or a rush of adrenalin doing something new, even as we simply anticipate it.
“Rather than going back to the same holiday destination time and time again - simply take the ingredients that you like, whether that's a beach, child friendly hotel, sightseeing or an activity-based break, type them into a search engine and see what new and unexplored adventures await.
“Setting ourselves new goals and challenges outside of our regular comfort zone - however small - can inspire us, make us feel more creative and more satisfied with life overall, improving both our self-esteem and our self-confidence.”
Karen Crowley, Head of Consumer Marketing at Highland Spring, added: “We’re all naturally driven to make the most of everyday and being properly hydrated helps us get there. It's about balance - with small changes making surprisingly significant differences to our quality of life and ultimate well-being.
“It’s all about diving in to something new and thriving on those fun, unexpected moments. That’s why we’re giving the nation 10,000 chances to win new experiences with added H20omph.
“32 percent of go-getting Brits said they were going to make 2018 a year to remember. Whether it’s taking an iconic train journey or reinvigorating an everyday cinema experience, we’re offering consumers the tools to help them on their way.”
