Americans pick and choose healthy habits
We have likely all seen lists of healthy habits floating around the internet – popping up on our social media feeds, on the websites we frequent, on our friend’s blog who has just started some new, trendy diet, etc. However, even though we are constantly surrounded by healthful tips, how many do we actually listen to?
Despite recent studies illustrating that viewing material on a screen before bed – responding to texts, watching Netflix, checking email, etc. – can cause numerous physical and mental health consequences, a recent YouGov poll reveals that only 5% of US adults avoid screens prior to sleeping. Similarly, only 11% of individuals practice meditation. When asked what excuses respondents used to justify not making healthy choices, tiredness and laziness were top contenders: 34% and 26% respectively.
However, laziness may not always trump well-being. A third of individuals engage in daily exercise (35%) and a third wear sunscreen (33%).
Half (51%) of US adults take a daily vitamin. Of those who consume daily vitamins, only 25% are between the ages of 18-24. However, that percentage doubles to 50% for individuals 35-44, then nearly triples for those 55+ (69%). In addition, only 11% of 18-24 year olds try to avoid eating processed foods, but 44% of those 45-54 actively avoid them. Data suggests that age may play a crucial role in what healthy habits, as well as how many healthy habits, we choose to participate in.
