Best morning routine revealed – but one debate still divides the nation

Best morning routine revealed – but one debate still divides the nation The debate over the best morning routine has finally been put to bed – but there’s still one area where Brits are split down the middle Eight in 10 Britons stick rigidly to a set morning routine – but there’s still one everyday question the nation can’t agree on. A poll of 2,000 adults found 83% follow a regular regime to start the day, although the details vary widely from person to person. More than four in 10 (42%) prefer to shower in the morning, compared with 23% who opt for a night-time rinse – while the rest either have no preference or do both. It also emerged 34% get up as soon as their first alarm goes off, but 26% admit they hit snooze once or twice before finally rising. When it comes to morning 'fuel' coffee is the top choice (36%), edging out tea (32%). And nearly half (47%) check their phone within five minutes of waking up, with just 3% managing to avoid looking at their device altogether. But one debate remains unresolved: brushing teeth before or after breakfast. The poll found the country is split down the middle, with 45% doing it before eating and the same number (45%) after – while 10% don’t have a set preference. Holiday Inn Express by IHG Hotels & Resorts commissioned the study and partnered with comedian Rob Beckett, who launched The Great Wake-up Debate – encouraging people to voice their opinion on the proper way to begin 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 survey also pointed to the importance of bedtime habits, with almost two thirds (65%) saying how they sleep affects how they feel the next morning. And 49% said they struggle to drift off unless they’re on their preferred side of the bed. Peace and quiet, a cool room and a duvet topped the list of bedtime essentials. Nearly half (45%) sleep with just one pillow, while 43% prefer a more elaborate three-pillow set-up. Rob 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!” Almost a third (32%) of those polled, via OnePoll.com, said breakfast is the best part of a hotel stay. Meanwhile, 20% said they would book a hotel room without a second thought if they knew there was 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.”