Holiday Inn Express Uncovers Rituals For Starting Your Day Right

New research commissioned by Holiday Inn Express has revealed that millions of Brits swear by their morning rituals to get their day off to a good start with favoured practices including meditation (14%), exercise (20%), and writing down goals (10%).

The study of 2,000 people, conducted by One Poll, revealed that brushing their teeth, having a shower, cooking breakfast and making the bed are the activities Brits are least likely to skip as part of their morning routine. It emerged that 32% hate oversleeping and if they don’t get around to all their morning rituals, respondents can end up feeling rushed (31%), frustrated (26%) and annoyed (23%).

When asked why a morning routine is so important, 43 per cent believe their routine helps the rest of their day go well, 38 per cent said it helps them focus and 34 per cent end up feeling out of sync if they don’t.

Holiday Inn Express is committed to providing guests with a consistent experience that allows them to stick to their regimen while traveling, whether for business, leisure, or a little bit of both.

With the Express Start Breakfast, included in every stay, guests can fill up to start their day without slowing them down and with the Express Restful Recharge, a quality in-room Recharge zone, guests are set up for a comfortable and peaceful overnight boost for the next day.

Desperate to start the day right, the study also found that one in five (22%) admit to waking up no later than 6am so they can get all their morning rituals done before starting work. With an increased move towards rising early, 39% believe that the time they go to bed effects their ability to complete their morning routine.

Taking on average 53 minutes, 34% believe they can accomplish more in the day if their morning routine is done right and over half (53%) of adults will even try to stick to their routine if they’re staying away from home like in a hotel or a friend’s house.

Stephanie Atiase, Vice President Global Essentials Collection, Holiday Inn Express, said: “How you start your morning can dictate how the rest of your day follows.

Many now embrace a morning routine to maintain balance: setting themselves up for the day whether it’s sightseeing, visiting family or following their favourite sports team. However, when you are on holiday or away for work, maintaining routines can be a challenge.

That’s why we offer our guests the essentials to help them stay on track for a productive day. From comfy beds to ensure a good night’s sleep, to a fresh cooked breakfast in the morning, our guests have everything they need to help them start the day the right way.”

With over half of adults claiming that breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, just under a third (32%) of respondents attributed sitting down for a cup of tea or coffee as crucial for the perfect morning routine.

However, the survey revealed that not all mornings need to follow a strict regimen with 33 per cent admitting they are guilty of enjoying a lie-in and a cheeky fry-up on a weekend.

Mary Earps, England Women’s and Manchester United Women’s FC goalkeeper has partnered with Holiday Inn Express to offer her personal expertise on how to start your day the right way. Mary added: “Coming through the ranks in women’s football, routines have been crucial to how I prepare for training and matches. To set me up for the day I get up, get dressed and have a coffee before I head to the training ground. When I get there, I’ll have my breakfast which enables me to be energised for training and kick start my day brightly.

We’re creatures of habit, and those little things we do each morning set ourselves up for success.”

Hinting towards the nations increased focus on mental wellbeing, more than a third (36%) of people are introducing self-care into their morning routine with 35% prioritising ‘me time’ over extra minutes in bed.

Mindful activities like indulging in a skin care routine (20%), sitting down to meditate (14%) and saying positive affirmations in the mirror (11%) have also been considered as key components to starting the day off right.

Interestingly, just over a third (36%) believe their morning routine has changed over the last two years which may be attributed to a shift in outlook on mental and physical health since the pandemic.

IHG Hotels & Resorts passionately believes that guests will be cared for and have the freedom to be their true selves at any one of its 6000 hotels and 17 diverse brands – whatever that looks like. Since launching more than 30 years ago, the promise of a fresh breakfast included in the room rate has been a part of every Holiday Inn Express worldwide.

Holiday Inn Express is in some of the most travelled places in the world, featuring its Express Start breakfast to give busy guests a guaranteed satisfying start to their day. To find out more about Holiday Inn Express UK locations, or make a booking, visit the IHG One Rewards app.