A new report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) offers a revealing snapshot of how Britons allocate their time, highlighting a stark contrast between leisure and fitness activities. The study shows that while the average Brit spends over three and a half hours a day on relaxation and entertainment, they devote only 20 minutes to exercise-a decline from pandemic-era levels.
The report, which analysed daily activities in March, underscores that Britons now spend approximately 223 minutes each day on leisure, including two hours and 16 minutes watching television and 33 minutes socialising. Despite a reduction in overall relaxation time compared to the height of the pandemic, the data highlights a concerning drop-in physical activity. In comparison, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, individuals spent an average of 23 minutes a day on exercise, a figure which has now decreased to just 20.4 minutes.
Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan, Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, expressed concern over the implications of these findings. He noted that the limited time spent on exercise is compounded by the demands of daily life. For those who work outside the home, the average workday lasts 422 minutes (nearly seven hours), including 95 minutes of commuting. This extensive time away from home often leaves individuals too exhausted to engage in regular physical activity once they return.
Stay-at-home parents face similar challenges, dedicating 134 minutes daily to childcare and almost three hours to household chores. The demanding nature of these responsibilities contributes to the overall low levels of exercise reported.
Dr Narayanan emphasised that while some individuals may exceed the average, many are falling short of recommended physical activity levels. Those who do engage in exercise spend around 80.2 minutes a day on fitness activities. However, only 25.4% of adults, approximately 13.3 million people, report exercising daily. This suggests that a significant portion of the population may be either inactive or engaging in minimal exercise.
The decline in exercise time from the pandemic’s peak reflects a broader trend of returning to pre-pandemic activity levels. In March 2020, as lockdowns began, Brits exercised for an average of 19.8 minutes a day. By March 2021, this had increased to 30 minutes, but by March 2022, it had decreased to 23 minutes, and further dropped to 20.4 minutes by March 2024.
Dr Narayanan warned that such sedentary lifestyles could have serious health repercussions, potentially placing additional strain on NHS resources. Physical inactivity is a well-documented risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which can lead to conditions such as heart attacks and strokes due to fatty deposits in the arteries.
To address these concerns, Dr Narayanan recommends integrating fitness activities into daily routines and undergoing regular health check-ups. Blood tests, including those offered by London Medical Laboratory, can be a crucial part of maintaining health. These tests, available at home or through various clinics, provide a comprehensive overview of health metrics such as diabetes, liver and kidney function, and cholesterol levels. Early detection of conditions can lead to more effective and timely treatment.
For example, close to one million Britons are believed to have undiagnosed diabetes. Regular health checks, such as London Medical Laboratory’s General Health Profile, can help identify risks and ensure proactive management of health conditions. More information on these tests can be found here.
In summary, while leisure activities dominate Britons’ daily lives, the minimal time allocated to exercise underscores a need for a renewed focus on physical health and well-being.
For more information, visit https://www.londonmedicallaboratory.com/product/general-health.