Canadians want to have healthier lifestyles post-COVID
H
ill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K), one of Canada's leading public relations and public affairs firms, has released findings from their national survey into how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting Canadians.
The H+K survey found, in part, that many Canadians are seeing the post-pandemic period as an opportunity to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the importance of both physical and mental health to the forefront, said Michelle McLean, National Health + Wellness Sector Lead at H+K. There is an opportunity for both public sector organizations and private sector businesses focused on wellness to capitalize on these trends whether it's related to physical exercise, mental health, self-care, or nutrition.
The survey took place the first week of May as various provinces began to unveil their plans to re-open following weeks of pandemic lockdowns. Notable findings include
26% of respondents said they plan to eat healthier after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted - with 41% of respondents aged 18-24 indicating that was their intention.
34% of respondents who use virtual health care, said they plan to use virtual health care, such as telehealth, more frequently after COVID restrictions are lifted - with 44% of respondents aged 25-34 planning to do so.
31% of respondents said they plan to exercise more frequently after COVID restrictions are lifted - with 57% of respondents aged 18-24 saying that was their intention.
As with New Year's resolutions, good intentions to change behaviour often fall short of action, cautioned Lilly Kofler, Vice President of Behavioural Science at H+K. Businesses and governments need to deploy evidence-based communications grounded in best practices in behaviour change to truly support people on their wellness journey.
People often behave in ways which seem surprising or irrational; consumers don't always switch to the better, cheaper product and most of us don't save, exercise or eat healthfully as we should. Insights from psychology, behavioural economics and neuroscience reveal that most human behaviour is driven by automatic, instinctive and intuitive thought processes. Behavioural science helps us understand how people make these instinctive decisions and provides evidence for how to change behaviour to better help people reach their goals.
That is why H+K has a team of behavioural scientists dedicated to strengthening public communications and messaging to ensure it leads to action and ultimately, healthier living.
✔️ Canadians want to have healthier lifestyles post-COVID
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