HEALTH 2022
With COVID-19 restrictions being lifted and expectations on us all to return to forms of pre-pandemic times, balance is more important than ever. Looking to 2022, the public will be questioning how to maintain their new learned health and fitness behaviours and habits while also enjoying the reward of our new freedoms.
A balance between eating well, exercising, getting outdoors and keeping stress levels low are a priority for many Irish adults.
Three quarters of the Irish population consider themselves to be healthy (63% “Healthy” and 13% “Very Healthy”). With programmes such as Operation Transformation being criticised for focusing too much on dieting, body weight and shape, our research explores the different aspects of health through the lenses of physical activities, nutrition and overall well-being.
Since Core began tracking the Irish nations attitudes and behaviours towards health and fitness in 2016, we have seen how stress has been a dominating emotion in most people’s lives. While stress continues to be the emotion most felt by over a quarter (28%) of the adult population in the past 6 months, this is a significant drop compared to 2021 (-8% pts).
When it comes to health priorities, quality of life (71%) and mental well-being (68%) are the most important health goals for the adult population; followed by being free of disease (69%), free of pain (65%) and having lower stress levels (61%).
Mental health has grown as a priority in people’s lives with 85% of people conscious of their mental health (+6%pts year-on-year), and 7 in 10 claiming to focus on it, as much as their physical health.
Well-being habits strongly linked to our mental wellbeing have also gathered momentum since the research began in 2016. Habits such as getting enough sleep, being outdoors, walking, being mindful of what we eat and alcohol consumption have become new priorities for many people.
In 2022 citizens will substitute virtual spaces with physical and sociable outlets. While there is still a demand for wearable fitness devices and tracking via apps, the intended uptake of virtual/online alternatives to working out and talking to friends or family has decreased in favour of visiting gyms and exercise classes.
What is most evident from the Core Research HEALTH 2022 report is how we intend to maintain our focus on health. As highlighted as one of the five central themes of our PREDICT 2022 report, Health and well-being is a key component of how people live their lives in Ireland. Acknowledging how health incorporates food, fitness and well-being is now fully established in the Irish psyche.
Nearly every brand can and should respond to the highly engaged and active consumer and we hope this report provides you with some guidance on some of the key themes and trends for 2022.
