The results are in: Almost half of Aussies are choosing to skip breakfast during the week, while a further quarter confess to skipping breakfast more than twice each week, a national survey commissioned by IHG’s Holiday Inn Express has revealed.
This is despite over a third of Australians admitting breakfast is essential to their productively and a further quarter agreeing it prevents them from eating heavier during the day. Meanwhile, of those who do choose to eat breakfast, only a third choose a full breakfast each morning, while over a quarter prefer something light like fruit instead, suggesting a wholesome, fulfilling breakfast is not a priority for many Australians.
Released today, the national survey sheds light on the typical morning routines of over 1,000 Australians, from wake-up times and breakfast habits all the way to digital usage in the morning.
Underpinned by the Holiday Inn Express promise of ‘We know what matters,’ the survey was designed to understand how our morning behaviours contribute to overall health and wellbeing, and thereby help Australians better utilise their mornings when staying at one of the brand’s four hotels across the country. The newest opening, Holiday Inn Express Newcastle, opened March 28.
Michelle Peterson, global vice president from Holiday Inn Express, IHG, said: “We’re committed to providing our guests with the best experience and support during their stays with us, whether it be for work, pleasure, or both. By undertaking this research, we hoped to uncover the ways we can help make the mornings of our guests more seamless, and thereby offer more of what matters most. That’s why each of our Holiday Inn Express hotels include a free breakfast offering, to help our guests get the best start to their day.”
It was also revealed that more than half of Australians have admitted to waking up tired each morning, with only one in 10 feeling happy as they wake. This comes at a time when over a third of the population are starting each day feeling stressed from thinking about the work day ahead.
Furthermore, half of the population are checking their emails before they even get to work, with over a quarter revealing they first look while still in bed. Another two thirds of Australians admit to beginning their day with social media with over a quarter checking their feeds before they even get up.
Co-Founders of The Essentialists, Shannah Kennedy and Lyndall Mitchell, believe Australians need to reassess the way they spend their mornings. “Your morning routine will set you up for the rest of our day so it’s important we prioritise healthy habits each day.
“This includes starting each morning with a breakfast that is nourishing for our bodies and minds, to ensure we’re working at optimal function,” said Shannah and Lyndall.
The health gurus recommend investing a small amount of time each day to prepare a meal that is both tasty and nutritious so you’re more likely to stick to the habit of eating breakfast every day.
Shannah and Lyndall continued, “Eating breakfast is one of the healthiest morning routines you can have – it will help you jumpstart your metabolism and give the appropriate energy you need to get on with the day. Breakfast is fuel for the body. Without breakfast you are effectively running on empty, like trying to start the car with no petrol! Holiday Inn Express hotels across the world offer a full-range free breakfast which offers a stress-free (and excuse-free!) start to the day.”
Optimistically, the research does reveal Australians do want to start their days healthier with half the population choosing to exercise more if they could change one thing about their morning routine, while almost a quarter would eat a healthy breakfast and a further 15 per cent would meditate.
“There are many simple but effective ways to change our morning routines for the better. Start by asking yourself how you honestly feel each morning, practice gratitude and find small, realistic ways to introduce new habits to your routine that will leave you feeling happier and healthier each day.
Technology boundaries are also vital for us to lower our stress levels and to learn to switch off when we are not at work. If we choose to wake up and enter our day with positive and healthy morning behaviours, we’re much more likely to experience a more efficient, productive day and week ahead,” concluded Shannah and Lyndall.
Holiday Inn Express has centred itself around offering simple, smart travel for guests, reflected in all of its hotels including the newest Holiday Inn Express in Newcastle. The 170-room new-build hotel injects a burst of playful, smart travel to the harbor city of Newcastle – just 2 hours’ drive north of Sydney. Features include a full-range free breakfast offering, spacious accommodation and smart services including the ‘Great Room,’ which offers a multi-purpose venue for social drinks or functional space for business travellers. Each Holiday Inn Express hotel also features the Express Essentials, including a choice of pillows and black-out blinds in the room to ensure optimal, restful sleep.
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