Brits are bored by drudge of routine but don’t have enough confidence to step out of their comfort zone, survey finds
EIGHT in 10 Brits are looking for a new lease of life after admitting they want more excitement.
A poll, of 2,000 adults, found 61 per cent don’t feel fulfilled in their personal life amid the drudge of their daily routine (51 per cent) and a lack of motivation (44 per cent).
While a third (33 per cent) feel they don't have enough confidence to step out of their comfort zone.
Exactly four in 10 believe getting outside more and frequent exercise will help them feel more fulfilled.
While a quarter believe starting a new hobby will be beneficial to their life and 27 per cent think taking on a challenge that benefits them mentally and physically will help.
Almost six in 10 (59 per cent) think it’s important to give something back to the local community and 53 per cent would like to do more for charity.
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But 21 per cent admit they are unlikely to try something new with key barriers being a lack of time (32 per cent), low levels of confidence (28 per cent) and feeling too old (27 per cent).
Dan Geneen, head of fundraising at the British Heart Foundation, which commissioned the research, said: “Feeling unfulfilled isn’t uncommon, but it’s great to see so many people want to change this.
“Small steps like making time for more exercise and fresh air, as well as setting yourself a challenge like within your community can really help give you that sense of purpose.
“Doing something out of your normal comfort zone can have many benefits from increased confidence to a greater sense of fulfilment.
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"This is especially true if you’re doing something that positively impacts other people as well as yourself.
“You are never too old to try something new - if you don’t take the plunge, you will never know the benefits.”
The research also found January is considered the best time to try something new as it symbolises a fresh start and motivation is high after the Christmas period.
And 18 per cent are more likely to achieve a resolution that benefits other people over themselves.
Two thirds (65 per cent) have tried to start a hobby before - with just under half of those (48 per cent) managing to keep it up to this day.
More than three in 10 (35 per cent) did this to feel more fulfilled and 34 per cent to improve their mental health - including volunteering, running and swimming, according to the stats by OnePoll.
As 72 per cent would like to stick to a goal that is mentally fulfilling - such as taking on a running event for a charity (38 per cent).
Dan Geneen, on behalf of the BHF, which offers a range of fundraising events, such as its London to Brighton Bike Ride, Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim and the Great North Run, added: “It’s great to see so many people have started a hobby and are still keeping it up.
"It shows the risk of trying something new can pay off, despite it feeling perhaps a bit overwhelming to begin with.
“In 2025 we want to help people feel a sense of fulfilment and achieve their goals.
“By completing an event for our charity, you’re raising vital money for lifesaving research to help look after others health too.”
CASE STUDY
Hannah Freeman, from Bristol, is cycling the BHFs’ 54-mile London to Brighton Bike Ride to honour her daughter, Belle, who was born with a congenital heart condition.
Belle has undergone three open-heart surgeries since 2012.
The 32-year-old mother of four, who took on the challenge alongside with her best friend Lauren, wanted to help further fund pioneering research; such as that which helped save her 12-year-old daughter’s life.
Hannah said: “I had a normal and joyful pregnancy with no issues showing up on any of our scans. I went into natural labour and was so excited to meet my baby girl.
"But when she arrived, she didn’t cry and she wasn’t breathing. It was only 30 seconds but it felt like hours.”
At 12 hours old, after being breathless and refusing to feed, Hannah was told by a doctor that she had a heart murmur and they were moved to a specialist hospital.
There, Belle was diagnosed with a serious congenital heart condition called truncus arteriosus.
This means her heart does not pump blood effectively enough to her brain, lungs and the rest of her body due to an issue with her aorta and pulmonary artery.
As a first-time cyclist, she hopes to inspire others to take on a charity event as well as give back to the cause that helped save her daughter’s life.
Hannah added: “Belle is my inspiration. She’s so strong, very practical and positive. We say that Belle lives with heart disease - not everyone lives with heart disease.
“I feel like I’m very limited in the things I can do as Belle’s mum. Raising money for the British Heart Foundation is something I can do that’s positive, tangible and I feel in control of.
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“It makes me feel proud to know that by taking on this cycling challenge I am having a positive impact on not just Belle’s life but so many other people across the UK who live with heart disease.
"I know Belle is proud too.”
