In the wake of Blue Monday, we see the UK’s relationship with self-improvement undergoing a new and quiet shift. New research from Audley Villages reveals that in 2026, the nation is abandoning ‘new year, new me’ pressure in favour of sustainable goals.
Audley's research found that 9.9 million[1] of Brits (18%) now name perfect sleep as their ultimate wellness superpower, followed by never getting sick (13%) and unlimited energy (11%). However, a significant vitality gap is holding the nation back, with over half of UK adults (56%) citing tiredness as the single major barrier to physical activity. This exhaustion currently outranks other common hurdles, including a lack of motivation (55%) and two fifths (41%) struggle to find the time.
The findings signal the end of the vanity first era, with once idealised goals like youthful looks and sharper focus falling to the bottom of the priority list. Yet, despite moving away from such goals, Brits remain stuck in a cycle of burnout. The disconnect is further compounded by external pressures with well over two fifths (46%) of Brits concerned about the cost of exercise and almost half (48%) pointing to bad weather, the research highlights a growing disconnect. People know exactly what they need to feel better, but are often too drained, or too constrained, to pursue it.