Some 52 per cent admit their changes generally last no longer than a few weeks, and just 7 per cent have been completely successful in changing how they live for the better, according to a study by Bupa.
Employers should take note as 85 per cent of employees believe they would be more productive if they were able to stick to positive lifestyle changes in the long term.
Furthermore, two in five (44 per cent) would love their work to help them make positive changes to their lifestyle and half (48 per cent) say a regular wellbeing review would help with this.
Dr Steven Luttrell, medical director at Bupa UK says, ‘Clearly we all want to be healthier, but currently don’t feel supported to reach our goals and this means we are struggling to make our health resolutions stick.
‘Improving the wellbeing of workers in the UK needs a proactive effort, yet unfortunately many employers are failing to see the value of health and wellbeing initiatives. By supporting staff to make positive lifestyle changes, employers can also benefit from healthy and productive workforce.’
Three quarters of employees (73 per cent) have chosen to change their lifestyle to feel more physically healthy, with nearly half (46 per cent) changing to improve mental health.
The top behaviours people are trying to change are exercising more (65 per cent), losing weight (61 per cent), and eating less sugar (48 per cent).
But people clearly need support to help them achieve these goals as they are being held back by a lack of willpower (41 per cent) and their busy lives (40 per cent).
Further reading on employee health
