Ridiculously, WORK is one of the first things Brits think about as they wake up in the morning, according to new research. Incapable of switching off, we are stirred from our sleep ahead of our alarm by work woes at least twice a week.
The impact of the weather and money worries were also at the top of the poll, with finances plaguing our minds when our eyes open. Our health and relationships followed closely behind. Others declared that checking social media and the group chat is their number one priority in the morning.
Despite being a nation of early risers and getting out of bed at an average time of 6.16am on a workday, it will take 29 minutes before we feel fully awake, alert and ready to start the day. The average person has just over an hour (62 minutes) from the second we wake up to the moment we step out the door.
As a result, more than a third (36%) spend more than half of the working week feeling rushed and pressured for time, with 58% feeling “overwhelmed” with the amount of tasks on their to-do list when contemplating the day ahead.
Worryingly, more than four in 10 (42%) of the 2,000 surveyed feel they do not take care of themselves in the morning – skipping exercise, not taking vitamins or even doing the most natural thing in the morning, having breakfast.
A spokesperson for The New York Bakery Co, who commissioned the study, said: “Mornings can be a hectic time, especially with pressures hitting us first thing, such as getting the kids ready for school or making it to work on time.
“It seems many of us leave just enough time to get the morning essentials done, while neglecting what we see as luxuries, like making time for breakfast or a quick session at the gym ahead of the workday.”
When questioned about how much time respondents dedicate to the most important meal of the day, just six percent think about breakfast compared to lunch (10.4%) and dinner (63%). From this data, it isn’t surprising that we put aside just 11 minutes of a morning on average to fuel our bodies for the day ahead. More than one in 10 confessed that they don’t have time for breakfast AT ALL due to the daily rat race.
Nearly a quarter (23%) of the UK’s workforce are forced to eat their first meal of the day ‘on-the-go’, utilising their morning commute, or while at their desk. Breakfast options lacking in excitement were on the menu for most, quickly scoffing a bowl of cereal (33%) or slice of buttered toast (13%). But due to time constraints we will skip breakfast once a week in order to fit everything into our busy morning schedules.
This Bank Holiday, The New York Bakery Co. is encouraging families and friends to stop shunning breakfast and start giving it the time it deserves by giving away FREE breakfast bagels and injecting some fun back into our morning routine. Dubbed ‘The Big Breakfast Break’, the New York inspired bagel bar will be opening its doors for two days only in the heart of Shoreditch on Saturday 26th May and Sunday 27th May.
Popping up at 133 Bethnal Green Road from 8am until 2pm and situated a stone’s throw away from the world-famous Brick Lane, the eatery will be encouraging families to start the day right and spend quality time together for the most important meal of the day.
Christina Honigfort, Head of Marketing for The New York Bakery Co. added: “We hope that the experience will encourage Brits to slow down and think differently around breakfast. By showing Brits how variety and fresh thinking in the morning can set you up for the day to come, dull and mundane breakfasts will be a thing of the past!”
TOP 10 THINGS BRITS WAKE UP THINKING ABOUT
1. The weather
2. A task at work
3. Your health
4. A household chore
5. What’s happening on social media
6. The manic school rush
7. Morning commute
8. Can I get away with not washing my hair?’
9. Outfit choice for the day10. Family troubles
www.newyorkbakeryco.com