Brushing their teeth, having a shower, and sitting down for that first cup of tea or coffee, are the top rituals that Brits can't live without as part of their morning routine, a study has found.
Almost half of Brits (43%) said sticking to a routine in the morning helps them feel as if the rest of their day will go well, and almost two in five (38%) claim it helps them to focus.
Some of the other daily rituals that help Brits to start their day include making the bed, reading the news, exercising, and writing a to-do list for the day, according to the 2,000 adults polled.
And one in five (22%) even wake up by 6am just so they can get through all their rituals for the morning before starting work – which take an average of 53 minutes in total.
One in three (32%) say they hate oversleeping – as, if they don’t get around to all their morning rituals, respondents can end up feeling rushed (31%), frustrated (26%), and annoyed (23%).
And a third (34%) of those polled, by Holiday Inn Express, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, feel out of sync if they don’t get through their usual rituals.
Mary Earps, England and Manchester United goalkeeper, who is working with the hotel chain, said: “Coming through the ranks in women’s football, routines have been crucial to how I prepare for training and matches.
“To set me up for the day I get up, get dressed, and have a coffee, before I head to the training ground.
“When I get there, I’ll have my breakfast, which enables me to be energised for training and kick start my day brightly.
“We’re creatures of habit, and those little things we do each morning set ourselves up for success.”
It also emerged one in three (34%) believe they can accomplish more in the day if their morning routine is done right.
And more than half (53%) also try and stick to their morning routine even if they’re away from home, like staying in a hotel or at a friend’s house.
Half of those who took part in the survey, via OnePoll, said breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and 56% believe it helps them start the day the right way.
However, 33% are guilty of enjoying a lie-in and a cheeky fry-up on a weekend.
It also emerged 36% believe their morning routine has changed over the last two years.
More than a third (36%) have introduced more self-care into their morning routine, and 35% try to prioritise “me time” in the mornings.
Mindful activities, like indulging in a skin care routine (20%), sitting down to meditate (14%), and saying positive affirmations in the mirror (12%), also made the list.
Stephanie Atiase, from Holiday Inn Express, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “How you start your morning can dictate how the rest of your day follows.
“Many now embrace a morning routine to maintain balance, setting themselves up for the day – whether it’s sightseeing, visiting family, or following their favourite sports team.
“However, when you are on holiday or away for work, maintaining routines can be a challenge.
“That’s why we offer our guests the essentials to help them stay on track for a productive day.
“From comfy beds to ensure a good night’s sleep, to a fresh cooked breakfast in the morning, our guests have everything they need to help them start the day the right way.”
THE DAILY RITUALS THAT FORM BRITS’ MORNING ROUTINES:
- Brushing their teeth
- Sitting down for a coffee/tea
- Having a shower
- Making the bed
- Drinking water
- Reading the news
- Choosing what to wear
- Taking vitamins
- Exercising
- Clearing away washing up
- Listening to the radio
- Skin care
- Cooking breakfast
- Hair care
- Opening the windows for fresh air
- Putting on makeup
- Wake up without snoozing the alarm
- Scrolling social media
- Meditating
- Stretching
- Getting the kids ready for school
- Taking the rubbish out
- Putting a clothes wash on
- Walking the dog
- Making their lunch for work
- Writing their to-do list for the day
- Saying positive affirmations to themselves in the mirror
- Arranging their work desk
- Writing down their goals
- Going for a run
