"80% of Brits Stick to the Same Morning Routine, But Only a Third Rise with Their First Alarm!"

THE eternal morning routine debates have been put to bed once and for all – morning showers win, getting up after the first alarm without hitting snooze is best, and coffee beats tea.

A poll of 2,000 Brits revealed some very set opinions on the best way to start the day with 83 per cent rigidly sticking to a regime – although their approaches vary.

Rob Beckett said: ‘For me, it all comes down to a good night’s sleep and a good brekkie to start the day’ Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk More than four in 10 prefer to shower in the morning Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk

More than four in 10 (42 per cent) prefer to shower in the morning, while 23 per cent opt for a nighttime rinse – the rest have no preference or do both.

It also emerged 34 per cent get up immediately at their first alarm, while 26 per cent hit ‘snooze’ once or twice before rising.

And is the preferred morning ‘fuel’ of choice (36 per cent) over tea (32 per cent).

For 25 per cent, adding milk before dropping in the tea bag is unacceptable – although nine per cent admit to doing this.

Almost half of adults clean their teeth before breakfast Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Almost half of adults clean their teeth before breakfast Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk

Almost half (47 per cent) check their phone within five minutes of waking up, with only three per cent resisting checking their device altogether.

One debate which remains unresolved however is whether to clean your before or after breakfast.

Almost half (45 per cent) do so before and the same number (45 per cent) do so after, while 10 per cent have no particular stance.

Holiday Inn Express by IHG & Resorts commissioned the research and teamed up with comedian Rob Beckett, who launched The Great Wake-up Debate.

Discussing the campaign, which is inviting people to have their say on the right way to start the day, Rob Beckett said: “People will argue about absolutely anything, but morning routines are right up there with the best of them.

“You’ve got the annoyingly cheerful lot who are up, showered and chatting away before 7am — and then the rest of us, who need a bit of peace before we’re feeling properly human.

“What surprised me most is how seriously people take it — tea or coffee can divide a room faster than you can make either.”

The study also found 20 per cent will spend several minutes sitting on the edge of the bed ‘processing reality’ before finally getting up.

When it comes to the perfect condiment to go with their morning eggs, 18 per cent have eaten theirs with ketchup while ‘shockingly’ 13 per cent have tried them with salad cream.

As for baked beans, 32 per cent consider pairing them with mayonnaise to be “controversial”, while 33 per cent consider it similarly questionable to have them served on a croissant.

Other breakfast ‘crimes’ include pouring juice over cereal instead of milk (35 per cent).

While a quarter reckon milk should never go into the bowl before the cereal – although eight per cent are guilty of having done exactly this.

And although 15 per cent recoil at the thought of drinking the leftover cereal milk from the bowl, 26 per cent don’t share this stance and have happily downed it directly from the dish.

Almost two thirds (65 per cent) said their night-time habits directly affect how they feel the next morning with 49 per cent struggling to unless they’re on their preferred side of the bed.

While peace and quiet (54 per cent), a cool room (51 per cent) and a duvet (35 per cent) topped the list of bedtime essentials.

Nearly half (45 per cent) sleep with just one pillow while 43 per cent favour a more elaborate three-pillow set-up.

Rob Beckett added: “For me, it all comes down to a good night’s sleep and a good brekkie to start the day.

“I’m a two-soft-pillows kind of guy and, while I’m usually up with the first alarm at home, I’m firmly “team lie-in” when I’m away.

“Even better when there’s free breakfast waiting, like at Holiday Inn Express – you’ll find me parked by the bacon and eggs!”

Generational quirks emerged too, with 21 per cent of Gen Z adults re-wearing clothes that aren’t entirely clean if they’re in a rush, compared with 16 per cent of Gen X and 14 per cent of Boomers.

And almost a third (32 per cent) of those polled, via OnePoll.com, said breakfast is the best part of a hotel stay.

While 20 per cent will book a hotel room without a second thought – if they know there is a comfy bed waiting.

John Wright, VP Mainstream Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “The Great Wake Up Debate proves that everyone has their own morning habits and rituals.

“But what unites us is wanting to start the day feeling our best.

“That’s why we focus on the essentials that matter most to our guests – comfortable beds with a choice of pillows, blackout curtains, bedside charging and our free hot breakfast.

“It’s all about making mornings feel a little easier and helping guests wake up refreshed, recharged and ready for whatever the day brings.”