The “fix it when it breaks” trap is tightening. While residents in London want to be healthy, a toxic mix of exhaustion and poor healthcare access is forcing the region into survival mode.
The nation is running on empty and locals are stuck in a cycle of “fixing health when it’s broken” meaning a mix of lack of energy, poor quality sleep and limited access to health care is preventing them from taking action to live a healthy lifestyle.
The study carried out by leading research company Ipsos, and commissioned by Holland & Barrett amongst 5,000 adults, reveals that while 74% of Brits agree that establishing good health and wellbeing habits now is key to preventing illness in the future, the ‘fix it when it breaks’ mentality is most entrenched in London with 71% saying they only go to the doctor when “absolutely necessary”.
But it isn’t a lack of willpower, it’s a lack of fuel. Four in ten (41%) adults report experiencing a lack of energy in the last year, a figure that spikes to 50% for those aged 35-44. Low energy isn’t just a symptom; it’s a barrier that keeps the region stuck in a cycle of reactive repair.
Where you live shouldn’t dictate how long you live, yet a stark postcode lottery says overwise. Just 56% of Londoners find it easy to access healthcare, meaning this lack of access has created a dangerous “reactive repair” culture, with over half (54%) admit they tend to only listen to their body when something “feels off”, while just under half (48%) say they are only proactive with their health “when something goes wrong”.
This regional variation when it comes to healthcare access directly influences how people engage with their health. Where services are seen as harder to access, reactive patterns of behaviour appear more entrenched.
In response to the findings, Holland & Barrett is making a rallying cry to the nation to look after their bodies. The Back Your Body Commitment will help drive the shift from ‘reactive repair’ to proactive health, launching with 300,000 FREE Wellness Check-Ins per month across stores nationwide.
The Wellness Check-Ins are aimed at helping under-40s, who are not eligible for the NHS 40+ Health Check to take control of their health earlier. 4,500 trained Wellness Champions will provide science-backed, personalised advice to help people better understand their bodies, cut through complex information, and turn it into simple, actionable steps.
Dr Carrie Ruxton, award-winning dietician and report contributor, comments: “The UK is living longer but not always living well, with a growing burden of preventable disease and health outcomes that lag behind comparable nations. This situation is detrimental for individuals, the workforce, and the NHS. Proactive health habits formed in early adulthood can shape long-term health outcomes and positively impact the future burden of chronic disease. However, without accessible, trusted and practical support, many people remain stuck in a cycle of reactive repair.”
Anthony Houghton, Group CEO at Holland & Barrett, said: “We recognise the UK faces a growing health paradox, but Britain isn’t lacking motivation – it’s lacking momentum. The risk is becoming a nation that waits until something goes wrong. To make prevention work, support must be embedded in places people already go, before they become patients – and that infrastructure already exists on the high street. This means recognising the role of trusted, community-based support alongside formal healthcare. As the UK’s leading health & wellness retailer, we’re well placed on the high street and online to help the nation back their bodies and make preventative health a reality for all.”
“Throughout my career, I’ve learned many lessons along the way, one of the most important being that if I look after my body now, it’ll stay well for longer. I’m a firm believer in prehab over rehab, but the overload of health and wellness information can be overwhelming. H&B’s new Wellness Check-Ins are a great place to start with advice you can trust”, said: double World Heptathlon Champion and Olympic silver medalist, Katarina Johnson-Thompson.
Book a free Wellness Check-In at a Holland & Barrett store near you or visit https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/info/our-services/.