Friday 05 December 2025

Costa Coffee survey: 45% of Brits make small changes to break free from autopilot

Costa Coffee teamed up with psychologist Jo Hemmings, who explains: “Incorporating mindful rituals into your day can reset the mind, reduce stress, and improve overall wellbeing. While routines provide essential structure and stability, too much repetition can make life feel monotonous. Small tweaks, like changing your route to work or altering your morning habits, can inject energy and intention into the everyday, keeping the brain engaged and sparking creativity instead of slipping into autopilot”

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MILAN – A new survey of 5,000 UK adults, commissioned by Costa Coffee, reveals that 45% of Brits are actively refreshing their daily habits in a bid to feel more present and purposeful. Whether it’s opening a window to let in fresh air, taking vitamins, or putting on music, these micro-habits are helping people reconnect with themselves and improve their overall wellbeing.

This shift towards more mindful living comes as over a third (35%) admits they’re tired of the “same old” routine.

To explore the psychology behind this behaviour, Costa Coffee teamed up with psychologist Jo Hemmings, who explains: “Incorporating mindful rituals into your day can reset the mind, reduce stress, and improve overall wellbeing. While routines provide essential structure and stability, too much repetition can make life feel monotonous. Small tweaks, like changing your route to work or altering your morning habits, can inject energy and intention into the everyday, keeping the brain engaged and sparking creativity instead of slipping into autopilot.”

According to the findings mornings are a key time, with 44% of people who practice daily rituals adopting habits at the start of the day — compared to just 9% who do so in the evening. And when these routines are disrupted the effects are noticeable, with 60% saying they feel “out of sync” without them. A significant 74% of Brits also believe that small, consistent habits can have a lasting impact on mental and emotional wellbeing.

For many, that positive start begins with one simple moment of intention: a cup of coffee. According to the OnePoll.com figures, 73% of coffee drinkers who follow daily rituals consider it an essential part of their daily schedule.

For many coffee drinkers coffee is more than just a drink, with nearly half (49%) enjoying a quiet moment to themselves with their cup, while others use it to connect: 32% catch up with friends over coffee, and 30% pair it with reading a book or the morning paper. For 33%, it’s a key part of their breakfast routine, while 23% see it as a chance to relax and practise mindfulness. Remarkably, 38% even believe it helps them have deeper, more meaningful conversations.

Gennaro Pelliccia, Master of Coffee at Costa Coffee, said: “These findings show just how powerful everyday rituals can be — especially when it comes to coffee. For many, that daily cup isn’t just a habit; it’s a grounding moment of calm, connection, and reflection. Whether it’s a quiet pause before the day begins or a conversation shared with a friend, we’re proud to be part of the small moments that bring people closer to themselves and those around them.”

Top 30 ways Brits are elevating their daily routines into meaningful rituals:

1. Listen to music
2. Tidy the house
3. Take vitamins
4. Get up to date on the news
5. Savouring a coffee break
6. Scroll through social media
7. Spend time with pets
8. Sit in the sun
9. Open all the windows to let fresh air in
10. Morning walks
11. Read a chapter of a book
12. Drink a pint of water
13. Do my skincare routine
14. Water the plants
15. Afternoon walks
16. Evening walks
17. Write a daily to-do list
18. Listen to a podcast
19. Catch up on the previous night’s messages from friends/family
20. Do stretches
21. Meeting a friend(s) for a coffee
22. Send a message to family/friends wishing them a good day
23. Call/text my mum
24. Review my goals for the day
25. Meditate
26. Light a candle or use essential oils
27. Intentional screen breaks
28. Daily affirmations
29. Morning mindfulness
30. Practice yoga

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