Brits swear by six non-negotiable routines to stay on track

A poll of 2,000 adults found 76 per cent need consistent routines to help them stay in control of their day-to-day lives.

Many follow consistent practices to prep daily meals (45 per cent), clean their home (44 per cent), keep their fitness in check (34 per cent) and manage their energy use (25 per cent).

Money management is also a key part of people’s routines, with 90 per cent adding a routine is essential for keeping on top of their finances and budget.

Three quarters of those who have consistent habits for managing their money believe it saves them cash, allowing them to keep track of monthly budgets, plan ahead and avoid impulse buys.

In fact, these claim to have saved £320 on average in the last twelve months as a result – and 55 per cent have stashed away over £500.

Popular money-saving strategies include regularly checking bank balances (78 per cent), putting money away on pay day (47 per cent), using budgeting and banking apps (36 per cent) as well as maintaining a budgeting spreadsheet (35 per cent).

One in five of Gen Z (19 per cent) even seek out social media trends, such as the 1p savings challenge, to inspire habits, while 33 per cent of all adults use their smart meter to monitor energy costs.

The research was commissioned by Smart Energy GB to show how tools like smart meters can form part of people’s daily routines, helping them keep track of spending and have a better understanding of their everyday habits.

As two thirds (65 per cent) of people who have a smart meter at home say it has helped them keep track of the energy they use and how much it costs.

Almost half (47 per cent) say their smart meter has encouraged them to implement habits that help to save energy – just like Sarah Fitzgerald, a busy mum-of-two from Essex.

She said: “When juggling a busy household, my routines are what help me stay in control of it all. I like to know what's coming in and going out each month, so having simple ways to stay on top of my budget is important to me.

“With my smart meter display I can quickly see how much energy we're using and what it's costing. I check it regularly as part of my routine and it helps me keep an eye on things without having to think too hard about it.

“It's also helped us build better habits as a family. My kids are more aware of the energy they use now, and those small changes can make a real difference to our bills.”

The research went on to reveal repeated habits are having a positive impact on goals as routines have helped people in Britain to save money (40 per cent) and become more organised (31 per cent).

Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) even have calmer mornings and evenings as a result.

Morning rituals play an important role in helping people feel prepared for the day ahead, with 81 per cent claiming they are essential for starting their day right.

In fact, according to the survey carried out by OnePoll, the power of daily habits appears to ring true for 70 per cent, as they get quiet satisfaction from the small routines and rituals which shape their daily lives.

Gladiators star, Olympian and TV personality Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, also known as Nitro, believes consistency is key to staying on track, especially when it comes to his morning routine.

He added: “I’ve always believed that success comes from doing the simple things consistently. Life can get pretty hectic, so routines help me stay focused and moving in the right direction.

“You can’t always control everything that happens in a day, but you can control how you start it. Movement in the morning wakes me up, clears my head and sets the tone for the rest of the day.

“Spending time with my family is equally important, and I always like to plan ahead so I’m leading the day rather than chasing it. It’s the same with managing things like energy use at home – with a smart meter you can keep track of your usage and feel more in control of it.

“For me, it’s another example of how small daily habits and having the right information can make life feel more manageable.”