One in five people in Britain say that the wider societal and financial impact of the pandemic has encouraged them to take better care of their health and lifestyle, research shows.
A poll carried out for Simplyhealth, the healthcare plan provider, suggests that recent events have prompted 19% of the population to make a greater commitment to improving their health.
The poll also reveals that eight in 10 people in Britain (84%) believe individuals have a “responsibility to take better care of their health” to support the NHS in 2021.
A spokesperson for Simplyhealth said the poll shows that around half (50%) of people have made New Year’s resolutions for 2021 to take action to improve their long-term health as many recognise the impact this has on their families, local communities, and the NHS.
The poll of 2,000 people found that two in five (44%) Brits plan to take on at least one New Year’s resolution for 2021, with one in four (23%) making health resolutions that will benefit their families.
Health and fitness resolutions remain popular for 2021, with 47% of individuals wanting to lose weight, 46% wanting to improve their fitness and 28% wanting to improve their diet.
Catherine Rutland, clinical director at Simplyhealth, said 2020 “reinvented” many people’s relationship with their personal health.
She said: “While employees are more cognisant than ever about the strains on their health and wellbeing, the pandemic continues to create additional challenges. Now more than ever, employers are seeing their staff grappling to juggle work and home life, and with the added uncertainty of further lockdown measures, stress and anxiety will likely increase.
“As we continue to navigate the pandemic throughout 2021, it is vital employee health and wellbeing is front of mind for organisations across the country.”
