How the pandemic has affected people's attitudes towards their wellbeing

With the assistance of Censuswide, Cignpost recently performed a survey of over 2000 people from a range of sectors and regions across the UK with the aim of learning if and how the pandemic has affected Brits' behaviour regarding their health.

The results are conclusive: 75% of Brits are more aware of their health since the start of the pandemic, with 8 in 10 having made significant adjustments to their behaviour to improve their wellbeing. 42% are exercising more and 44% are eating more healthily. Women (50%) are much more likely than men (35%) to be eating better.

The survey also found that over 70% of employees are willing to take diagnostic tests to support their health and wellbeing. The most popular tests are those looking for heart conditions (46%) and examining diet and nutrition (41%).

In an effort to improve their health and wellbeing, almost half of those surveyed (48%) are trying to find a better work-life balance. 1 in 4 employees (24%) believe their current employer is not fully supporting their wellbeing, and 46% of those between the ages of 24-44 would like their workplace to provide regular screenings to help them keep on top of their health.

However, 1 in 3 of the survey’s respondents have not been to a doctor in the last 12 months and fewer than 1 in 10 are likely to visit the doctor within a week of seeing a change in their health.

This focus on health and wellbeing is long overdue, and it’s a hugely positive step that people are now far more aware of the need to take preventative steps to maintain their wellness.

An important finding of the survey is that employers are now expected to take steps to help staff look after their health. Cignpost can provide businesses with state-of-the-art diagnostic services tailored towards helping companies provide their employees with effective and accurate diagnosis of health conditions, helping prioritise staff wellbeing. It is our hope that by increasing the availability of diagnostic services, people will be able to detect potential problems as early as possible and take the necessary steps to protect their health.