Health and fitness on the back burner for Brits
Despite best efforts, time-poor Brits are struggling to make space in their lives to look after their health and fitness, according to research from the Scottish Widows Priorities of Life index.
According to the survey, over one third of people (35%) are worried they are neglecting their health more than any other area of their life, and nearly half (45%) confess that they don't put as much emphasis on keeping fit as they feel they should. Furthermore, 44% of people said they would ideally like to have more fun but are unable to make enough time for this with so many other day-to-day activities having to take priority.
Of those who don't spend enough time keeping healthy, 36% admit this is because they are simply not worried enough about their health at the moment, 23% will always put their family's health needs over their own, and 23% will only start to pay attention towards their body if they get seriously ill. And fitness is on the back burner because they don't have enough time to exercise regularly (37%), don't enjoy it (25%), or can't afford gym membership (23%). But this attitude might be putting people at risk of serious health problems.
And it's not just their health and fitness that is suffering when it comes to achieving a happy lifestyle balance - social life also proves to be a big concern for many Brits. One in ten people (10%) wish they had more time to have fun, and 16% say they are more worried that they are neglecting having enough fun than any other area of their lives. Also, two fifths (40%) of people say they are not prioritising holidays enough, with around one in twelve (8%) stating that their biggest concern is not dedicating enough time to a relaxing break.
Sarah Storey, Scottish Widows Ambassador for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympics Medal Winner, said: "With 13% of people wishing they had more time to spend on themselves, it is essential they understand the physical, mental and social well-being benefits of leading as healthy and balanced a lifestyle as they can manage. We live in busy times, but building in enough time to look after your health as well as having some fun will reap the benefits.
"Part of Britain's hopes for hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games rested on the legacy it would leave us with - a healthy nation, with people enthused to take part in sport. However, with just two years to go until the London 2012 Games it seems we are facing an uphill struggle to get Brits off the sofa watching sport and actually taking part.
"It can be really hard to strike a good balance between training and spending time with my friends and family, especially now that we are just a couple of years off from the 2012 Games, but by ensuring each area of my life is planned and in order I can relax and focus on the things that matter. That includes making sure my finances are organised"