People Plan to Prioritise Sleep This Year Finds Core Research HEALTH 2022

With three in four people feeling healthy and in control of their personal well-being this year, it’s clear that healthy habits picked up during the pandemic are here stay according to the latest Health Report from Core, Irelands largest marketing communications agency.

The research found that a balanced approach to both physical and mental health is more important than ever, with 70% of people saying they now focus on their mental health just as much as their physical.

60% of the population exercise at least once a week while monitoring their diet to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, the report also reveals that people plan to continue to take a more holistic approach towards their health through a variety of self-care and well-being activities including:

• Cutting back on social media (29% intend to start this in 2022)
• Embracing the great outdoors by getting out in nature (22% intend to start this in 2022)
• Prioritising enough sleep each night (31% intend to start this in 2022)

Following quality of life (71%) and mental well-being (68%), some of the most important health goals of the adult population for 2022 include:

• Being free of disease (69%)
• Being free of pain (65%)
• Having lower stress levels (61%)

Since Core began tracking the Irish nations attitudes and  behaviours towards health and fitness in 2016, stress has been a dominating emotion in most people’s lives. While it continues to be the emotion most felt by over a quarter (28%) of the adult population in the past six months, this is a significant drop compared to 2021 (-8%).

Co-author of the report, and senior research manager at Core, Lindsey McAteer, says: “In 2022 citizens will substitute virtual spaces with physical and sociable outlets. While there is still a demand for wearable fitness devices and tracking via apps, the intended uptake of virtual/online alternatives to working out and talking to friends or family has decreased in favour of visiting gyms and exercise classes.

What is most evident from the Core Research HEALTH 2022 report is how we intend to maintain our focus on health. As highlight as one of the five central themes of our PREDICT 22 report, Health and Well-Being is a key component of how people live their life in Ireland. Acknowledging how health incorporates food, fitness and well-being is now fully established in the Irish psyche.”

Research fieldwork was conducted by Core Research, 1,000 adults interviewed online in January 2022, representative of the adult population of Ireland.

To read the full report, visit here.