Survey
The Health of the Nation
Well actually, the health of a few nations, mostly the UK, USA and The Netherlands.
In 2009 Happiness Express conducted research into the health and wellbeing of 180 men and women in my global network. The participants were an even mix of men and women and the majority (84%) were in the 26-50 age bracket. The purpose of the study was to discover the health habits and views on work-life balance of a variety of people. I thought I’d share some of the results with you.
Not surprisingly, every single person surveyed viewed being healthy as ‘important’ or even ‘very important’. But do their lives actually reflect their views?
When asked how satisfied the respondents were in various areas of their life (health/fitness/wellbeing, career/work, relationship, family, and friends/social life), the health/fitness/wellbeing category scored the lowest.
Time to work out?
Two thirds of respondents found establishing regular exercise ‘not very easy’, ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’. They claimed ‘lack of time’ as the main reason. And several respondents highlighted the added pressures that business travel placed on staying on track.
Resisting temptation
Despite diets being healthy overall, with 84% of people having a ‘healthy’ or ‘very healthy’ diet, a third of all respondents still wanted to make changes. Here the main issue was ‘lack of willpower and motivation’.
Feel fit, get more energy
When asked what they believed were the main benefits to leading a healthy life, the most common responses were ‘feeling fitter and stronger’ and ‘having more energy’. A little further down the rankings were ‘looking better/more attractive’ and ‘living longer with better quality of life’. So it seems that the more immediate benefits of increased energy and a fitter feeling have a higher priority than the extended benefits of living a longer life.
A change of lifestlye
On average each respondent was spending €50 (£42) per month on exercise-related fees (e.g. gym memberships, fitness clothing and equipment) and a third had used the services of a personal trainer at some point. But with the majority of people struggling to find time to exercise, the health benefits are going to be short-lived and limited. In fact, surveys indicate that, 6 months after joining, the dropout rate among new gym members is about 60%, and one Mintel report suggests that 20% of health club members work out there less than once a month. The real benefits come from combining regular exercise with healthy eating in an achievable, sustainable way – something that you do as part of your normal life, without even thinking too hard about it. If it’s a chore, it won’t last. With growing obesity rates and stress-related illnesses, perhaps it’s time we reinforced our healthy intentions with a little help from coaching.
Coaching for health
Coaching offers a tailored approach to healthy living. It helps you clearly visualise the benefits that you specifically will achieve and helps you firmly set your intention towards your goals. When what you are working towards conjures up a better feeling than lazing on the couch or munching on snacks you’ll be much more motivated to do it. Your own dedicated motivational tips and techniques are identified – what works for you may be different to what works for others – and success strategies are created to make it easier for you to stay on track.
Coaching provides a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, taking into account your life circumstances, emotional triggers, values and beliefs. If you’re stuck it can help you identify the obstacle and find ways around it. You even create back-up plans in anticipation of temptation along the way. In all it means you’re as prepared as you possibly can be to ensure you remain healthy and full of energy, without all the angst and sense of sacrifice.
If this sounds like the ticket for you, drop me a line and we’ll chat through some coaching options.