As the New Year kicks off, many people across the UK are embracing resolutions in a bid to live healthier lives. That is why Midland Health has conducted a study to identify the UK cities most committed to self-improvement. Read on to find out the top areas where residents are most actively seeking healthier lifestyles.
Methodology
Midland Health identified a seed list of popular keywords related to leading a healthy lifestyle, such as “gym near me”, “fitness watch”, “how to lose weight fast” and “calorie calculator”. The team analysed Google search data to see the number of times residents in the UK’s 50 most populated cities (excluding London boroughs) search these terms. Results were normalised per 100,000 residents to ensure a fair comparison. The cities were then ranked based on the normalised data. The city with the most searches per 100,000 residents was crowned the fitness-obsessed city in the UK.
The UK’s Fitness Hotspots
The results reveal interesting insights into the nation’s health habits. Here are the cities that topped the list.
1. Manchester
With an impressive 7,110 health-related searches per 100,000 residents, Manchester takes the crown as the UK’s most fitness-obsessed city. Residents here are leading the way in prioritising health and fitness.
2. Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle claims second place with 5,713 searches per 100,000 residents, showcasing its dedication to achieving fitness goals.
3. London
Generally considered a trendsetter in health and wellness, London ranked third with 4,715 searches per 100,000 residents. Despite its size and resources, it falls behind Manchester and Newcastle.
4. Birmingham
The UK’s second-largest city, Birmingham, came in fourth with 4,476 searches per 100,000 residents.
5. Bournemouth
Rounding off the top five is Bournemouth, where residents recorded 4,089 searches per 100,000.
Cities With Room For Improvement
While some cities show a clear interest in health and fitness, others lagged behind, highlighting opportunities for increased health awareness.
For example, Nottingham ranked last, with only 379 health-related searches per 100,000 residents. This suggests a need for greater health and fitness initiatives in the city.
Similarly, with just 411 searches per 100,000 residents, Newport placed 49th on the list. Following closely behind is Norwich, with only 455 searches per 100,000 residents, showing significant room for improvement in health awareness.
How to Prioritise Your New Year’s Health
For those looking to jumpstart the fitness journey, Dr Rupa Parmar, Director of Midland Health says: “The start of a new year is a pivotal time for many of us to focus on our health. Whether it’s joining a gym, finding tech to track your progress or simply changing your diet, establishing a healthy lifestyle helps to reduce the risk of harmful conditions and increase your life expectancy.
In a perfect world, many of us would stick to our bids to live healthier lives. But the reality is most resolutions fizzle out because people try to change too much too quickly. Big goals like hitting the gym every day or losing a stone in a month can feel impossible, so understandably people give up. The key is starting small by making little changes you can stick to. This is more effective in the long run. After all, our brains are wired to prefer easy rewards. For example, swapping a takeaway a week for a home-cooked meal or taking a ten-minute walk daily can make a world of difference. With time and repetition, healthy habits start to feel natural. It’s all about making self-improvements that fit into your life.
It’s worth noting that stress can derail even the most realistic resolutions, so it’s important to not neglect your mental health. Things like deep breathing, practising mindfulness or even taking a quiet moment each day can help you keep your mental health in check. Managing stress not only makes it easier to stick to your goals but also protects your overall health, reducing the risk of serious health conditions, such as heart disease and obesity.
Something as simple as writing down a few things you’re thankful for each day can help you shift your mindset and get into a positive headspace. This will help you reframe how you view things. Instead of seeing something like a regular walk as a chore, you’ll notice and appreciate the small rewards it brings, such as fresh air, a clear mind or a sense of achievement.”
If you have concerns about your health or simply want to make sure everything is ticking over as normal, book a private health check-up with one of our experienced GPs.