PexelsThough some people will try to convince you they’re free-spirited and spontaneous souls who just go with the flow, it seems most Brits are actually creatures of habit.
A poll of 2,000 adults found eight in 10 people prefer to stick to things they know, keep a routine and always go for the brands they trust.
However, the study also found more than 40 per cent feel caught in the trap of the same everyday routine.
Forty-four per cent are so fixed to their schedules, they do the same thing every weekend; waking up at the same time, taking kids to do the same activities, cleaning the house and ordering the same takeaways.
Such repetitive weekends are taking their toll though, with almost half admitting their weekend often feels like just another weekday.
It also emerged, while more than half of respondents said the thought of making significant routine changes ‘scares’ them, 65 per cent believe making small every day changes could have a large impact.
Among the things they’d most like to change are, to exercise more and to eat more healthily. Others would like to drink more water, with more than a third claiming they’re not hydrating enough.
Twinings, who commissioned the study for the launch of Twinings Cold In’fuse, have teamed up with presenter and singer, Rochelle Humes, to try and inspire the nation to embrace everyday changes to their routine.
Rochelle said:
With the endless admin that comes with work, kids, friends all combined into everyday life, it is easy to get stuck in a routine rut, even at the weekend.
Liz Ashdown, Brand Director at Twinings said:
We wanted to inspire the nation to make small savvy changes to their daily hydration routine that would make them feel great.
Rochelle even shared her top tips for changing things up, saying:
1. A new hobby is a great way to break up a new routine. I was being quite unadventurous with my gym routine and feeling a little demotivated, so decided to take up boxing as a new challenge. Learning a new skill is fun and rewarding and can challenge both the body and mind.
2. It’s not only weekdays where we can get stuck in a rut but even weekends can become predictable and formulaic. If you’re bored of your weekend routine, why not try something a bit different, like breakfast with an old friend or time out for you to lose yourself in a good book.
3. Changing elements of your routine can be daunting, but sometimes it’s the small, easy changes which can make the biggest difference – like drinking more water. I know I need to drink more water to stay focused and hydrated but I find it difficult to always fit it in.
4. Say yes to new opportunities, even if they’re outside your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to be spontaneous. Try that new recipe or a totally different look, or a drink with friends you wouldn’t normally see socially. You could surprise yourself with just how much you love it.
5. To avoid feeling the slump, try and walk more, it’s great for combatting stress and its good exercise to boot. It’s also a great way to change up your commute by getting off a stop early and trying different routes that involve more walking.
Time to changes things up a bit people!
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Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.