Holland & Barrett launch hundreds of thousands free high-street wellness check-ins per month

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The study carried out by leading research company Ipsos, and commissioned by Holland & Barrett amongst 5,000 adults reveals that while 74% of people agree that establishing good health and wellbeing habits now is key to preventing illness in the future, most still wait until something goes wrong before taking action.

Over half (57%) admit they tend to only listen to their body when something feels off, while 45% say they are only proactive with their health "when something goes wrong”. Meanwhile, three quarters (78%) say they only visit the doctor when “absolutely necessary”.

At the heart of the issue is a nation running on empty. Four in ten (41%) adults report experiencing a lack of energy in the last year, rising to one in two (50%) of 35-44-year-olds, creating a major barrier to healthier habits.

Despite clear intent to change, action continues to lag behind. While 59% say they plan to focus more on their health and wellbeing in the next year, only half (50%) currently say they proactively manage their wellbeing today.

Nutrition remains a key pressure point. Nearly half (48%) say improving their diet would boost their health, yet only 42% hit their five-a-day. Confusion is compounding the problem, with almost a third (32%) admitting they find it difficult to know what makes a healthy and well-balanced diet.

The impact extends beyond individuals, with poor workforce health costing the UK economy an estimated £85 billion every year1.

Young adults struggle to take a proactive approach more than most with almost half (47%) of 16–34 year olds saying they find it difficult to be proactive with their health, compared to 35% of 45-75 year olds. They are also navigating unprecedented volumes of health information, with one in eight (12%) of 16–24 year olds being “confused by which sources of healthy lifestyle information they can trust”.

In response to the findings, Holland & Barrett is making a rallying cry to the nation to look after their bodies. The Back Your Body Commitment will help drive the shift from ‘reactive repair’ to proactive health, launching with 300,000 free Wellness Check-Ins per month.

The Wellness Check-Ins are aimed at helping under-40s, who are not eligible for the NHS 40+ Health Check to take control of their health earlier. 4,500 trained Wellness Champions will provide science-backed, personalised advice to help people better understand their bodies, cut through complex information, and turn it into simple, actionable steps.

Dr Carrie Ruxton, award-winning dietician and report contributor, comments: “The UK is living longer but not always living well, with a growing burden of preventable disease and health outcomes that lag behind comparable nations. This situation is detrimental for individuals, the workforce, and the NHS. Proactive health habits formed in early adulthood can shape long-term health outcomes and positively impact the future burden of chronic disease. However, without accessible, trusted and practical support, many people remain stuck in a cycle of reactive repair.”

Anthony Houghton, Group CEO at Holland & Barrett, said: “We recognise the UK faces a growing health paradox, but Britain isn’t lacking motivation – it’s lacking momentum. The risk is becoming a nation that waits until something goes wrong. To make prevention work, support must be embedded in places people already go, before they become patients – and that infrastructure already exists on the high street.

“This means recognising the role of trusted, community-based support alongside formal healthcare. As the UK’s leading health & wellness retailer, we’re well placed on the high street and online to help the nation back their bodies and make preventative health a reality for all.”

“Throughout my career, I’ve learned many lessons along the way, one of the most important being that if I look after my body now, it’ll stay well for longer.

“I’m a firm believer in prehab over rehab, but the overload of health and wellness information can be overwhelming. H&B’s new Wellness Check-Ins are a great place to start with advice you can trust”, said: double World Heptathlon Champion and Olympic silver medalist, Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

Further key report findings:

Sleep health: 42% experience sleep problems in the last 12 months, yet fewer than four in ten (38%) say they always follow a sleep routine

Nutrition: Just 7.2% meet recommended fibre intake levels and one in four (43%) take vitamins or supplements nationally

Movement: 51% say getting regular exercise would help them better look after their bodies but 29% of the population cite “lack of time” as a top barrier

Mind: 38% have experienced stress and anxiety in the last 12 months, yet 27% of men and 28% of women say they haven’t done anything to address stress and anxiety

Get a free Wellness Check-In at a Holland & Barrett store near you or visit https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/info/our-services/.