Eight in 10 people stick to a morning routine, study shows
The eternal morning routine debates have been put to bed once and for all.
A poll of 1,000 Irish adults found they have very set opinions on the best way to start the day with 80 per cent rigidly sticking to a set regime – although their approaches vary. Nearly a third (31 per cent) get up immediately after their first alarm but 36 per cent hit ‘snooze’ once or twice before rising.
More than half (53 per cent) brush their teeth after eating breakfast versus 41 per cent who do it before - the remainder have no particular stance.
Coffee is the preferred morning ‘fuel’ of choice (38 per cent) over tea (27 per cent). But for 27 per cent adding milk before dropping in the tea bag is unacceptable - although five per cent admit to doing it.
Almost four in 10 (38 per cent) prefer to shower in the morning, while 41 per cent opt for a nighttime rinse - the rest have no preference or do both. More than six in 10 (62 per cent) check their phone within five minutes of waking up, with only three per cent resisting looking at their device altogether.
Holiday Inn Express by IHG Hotels & Resorts commissioned the research and teamed up with comedian Rob Beckett, who launched The Great Wake-up Debate.
Discussing the campaign, which is inviting people to have their say on the right way to start the day, Rob Beckett said: “People will argue about absolutely anything, but morning routines are right up there with the best of them.
“You’ve got the annoyingly cheerful lot who are up, showered and chatting away before 7am — and then the rest of us, who need a bit of peace before we’re feeling properly human. What surprised me most is how seriously people take it — tea or coffee can divide a room faster than you can make either.”
The study also found 22 per cent will spend several minutes sitting on the edge of the bed ‘processing reality’ before finally getting up.
When it comes to the perfect condiment to go with their morning eggs, eight per cent have eaten theirs with ketchup while ‘shockingly’ 13 per cent have tried them with salad cream. As for baked beans, 33 per cent consider pairing them with mayonnaise to be “controversial”, while 31 per cent consider it similarly questionable to have them served on a croissant. Another breakfast ‘crime’, according to those polled, is pouring juice over cereal instead of milk (30 per cent).
A quarter reckon milk should never go into the bowl before the cereal – although nine per cent are guilty of having done exactly this. Although 10 per cent recoil at the thought of drinking the leftover cereal milk from the bowl, 29 per cent don’t share this stance and have happily downed it directly from the dish.
More than three quarters (77 per cent) said their night-time habits directly affect how they feel the next morning with 60 per cent struggling to sleep unless they're on their preferred side of the bed. Quiet (41 per cent), a cool room (40 per cent) and, in-line with the above stat, sleeping on their favourite side of the bed (32 per cent) topped the list of the essential ingredients for a good kip. Nearly half (45 per cent) sleep with just one pillow while 44 per cent favour a more elaborate three-pillow set-up.
Rob Beckett added: “For me, it all comes down to a good night’s sleep and a good brekkie to start the day. I’m a two-soft-pillows kind of guy and, while I’m usually up with the first alarm at home, I’m firmly “team lie-in” when I’m away. Even better when there’s free breakfast waiting, like at Holiday Inn Express – you'll find me parked by the bacon and eggs.”
Generational quirks emerged too, with one in three Gen Z (33 per cent) re-wearing clothes that aren't entirely clean if they're in a rush, compared with 17 per cent of Gen X and 14 per cent of Boomers.
Almost a third (32 per cent) of those polled, via OnePoll.com, said breakfast is the best part of a hotel stay. While 19 per cent said they will book a hotel room without a second thought - if they know there is a comfy bed waiting.
John Wright, VP Mainstream Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts said: “The Great Wake Up Debate proves that everyone has their own morning habits and rituals. But what unites us is wanting to start the day feeling our best.
“That's why we focus on the essentials that matter most to our guests – comfortable beds with a choice of pillows, blackout curtains, bedside charging and our free hot breakfast. It's all about making mornings feel a little easier and helping guests wake up refreshed, recharged and ready for whatever the day brings.”