Routines help Brits bring order to busy lives
Three in four Brits say routines help them feel more in control of everyday life
Morning rituals, managing money and household tasks are among the everyday routines helping people feel more organised and in control
Three-quarters say their regular habits have helped them save money, with those who saved putting away an average of £320 in the last year
Almost half say their smart meter has encouraged them to adopt energy-saving habits at home
Gladiator and Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey meets mum-of-two Sarah to discover how small daily habits help her manage a busy household
With Brits managing summer heatwaves, upcoming school holidays and disrupted schedules three in four people (76%) say they rely on regular routines to help them stay organised and in control.
New research among 2,000 adults found people are turning to simple habits to help bring order to their busy lives, with Brits following six different routines on average to help them tackle their mornings, finances and household tasks.
The findings come as Gladiator, Olympian and TV personality Harry Aikines-Aryeetey shares why consistency is key in his own life.
He said: “I’ve always believed that success comes from doing the simple things consistently. Life can get 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.
Morning rituals are among the most popular routines, with more than half of Brits (55%) saying they follow a consistent routine at the start of the day. Four in five (81%) say their morning habits are essential to helping them start the day in the right way – whether that means enjoying a cup of tea or coffee, eating breakfast, making the bed or checking messages and emails.
But routines are not just about getting the day started. Brits are also using regular habits to stay organised across everyday life, including shopping (55%), preparing meals (45%), doing laundry (45%) and keeping fit (34%).
One area where routines are proving particularly valuable is managing household finances. Nine in ten Brits (90%) say regular habits are important for helping them keep on top of their budgets. Three-quarters (75%) say they have saved money as a result of the routines they follow, with those who have saved putting away an average of almost £320 over the last year.
Popular money management habits include regularly checking bank balances (78%), putting money away when they are paid (47%), using budgeting and banking apps (36%) and tracking spending through a budgeting spreadsheet (35%).
As households look for more ways to stay on top of everyday spending, energy use has also become part of people’s routines. Two thirds (65%) of those who have a smart meter at home say it has helped them keep track of their energy use and how much it costs, with almost half (47%) saying their smart meter has encouraged them to implement habits that help to save energy.
Sarah Fitzgerald, a busy mum-of-two from Essex, knows how important routines are when it comes to managing family life.
She shared: “When you’re juggling a busy household, routines are what help me stay in control of it all. I like to know what’s coming in and going out each month and 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 we’re more mindful of our habits at home.”
The research was commissioned by Smart Energy GB to explore how people are using everyday habits and tools to better understand their household spending and energy use.
Harry added: “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.”
The power of daily habits appears to ring true for most Brits, with 70% saying they get quiet satisfaction from the small routines and rituals that shape their everyday lives, showing that even the simplest habits can help people feel more in control.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Research was carried out by OnePoll for Smart Energy GB and surveyed 2,000 GB adults (nationally representative on the basis of age, gender and region) between 22nd - 27th May 2026.
About Smart Energy GB
Smart Energy GB is the independent, non-profit, government-backed organisation that helps households and small businesses across Great Britain to understand how smart meters can benefit them, their families and the environment.
We do this by working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders including charities and voluntary organisations to reach people throughout the country, including those in vulnerable circumstances, who may otherwise miss out on the opportunity to get a smart meter.
Our campaign explains the impact that having a smart meter installed has, including helping the country to build a more a reliable and affordable energy system, and how the accompanying in-home display can help you take control of your energy use and manage your household budget.
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