According to Met Office figures, the United Kingdom experienced the equivalent of 33 full days of clear skies and daylight from June to August last summer, totaling 536 hours of sunshine. However, a study conducted among 2,000 adults revealed that 62% of them experience pressure to maximize their time during these extended daylight hours, and six out of ten struggle with making decisions about how to spend them. Consequently, 60% of the participants admitted to letting summers pass them by, citing reasons such as repeating the same routines (39%) and ineffective time management (29%). In an effort to address this issue, Zipcar UK, the company that commissioned the study, has collaborated with the creative duo Jesse and Will of TOPJAW to develop an online tool called the ‘Summer Selector.’ This tool is designed to provide inspiration for summer activities and assist individuals in making the most of their free time during the warmer months. “During the summer months, when the days are longer, we calculated that the average Brit has 58,000 minutes of spare daylight time to make the most of,” the duo explained. “However, many don’t believe they are maximizing their summer days, and Met Office data shows that sunshine is limited.” The study also highlighted that 41% of participants exhibit a tendency to procrastinate and fail to take advantage of the extended daylight hours. Furthermore, 39% cited unfavorable weather conditions as a hindrance to their summer plans. Despite these challenges, nearly two-thirds (65%) of the respondents emphasized the significance of making the most of their experiences during the warmer months, even if it requires financial sacrifices. Notably, 15% of the participants expressed that they haven’t fully enjoyed a summer in over five years. As a result, 48% of Brits seek guidance from family and friends when planning their summer activities. Other sources of inspiration include websites (34%), television programs (23%), and social media (30%). However, 31% of the participants acknowledged that browsing social media platforms can evoke feelings of inadequacy if they perceive themselves as not fully utilizing the summer season. While 54% of the respondents expressed a desire to be more spontaneous with their summer plans, half of those surveyed (via OnePoll) indicated difficulty in finding affordable and impulsive activities. Despite 49% having to adjust their summer plans due to rising costs, 27% intend to spend more this summer compared to the previous one. The study also revealed that the average adult plans to allocate £77 per week on activities to keep themselves entertained during the extended daylight hours, and £72 on dining out. A Zipcar UK spokesperson remarked: “Our study has revealed that people want to optimize their time while being mindful of their financial constraints. Making decisions or simply knowing what options are available can be challenging, which is why we launched our ‘Summer Selector’ to assist Brits in making the most of their summer this year. We aim to simplify the decision-making process for individuals.” “Supporting the nation in maximizing their summer experiences is crucial to us, as we understand the fleeting nature of each moment, especially with the unpredictable British weather.” Other related articles mentioned in the content: – Three plants that must be pruned now for vigorous growth and attractive blooms – New maps turn red as 400-mile ‘mini heatwave’ ravages Britain – ‘Easy’ strawberry cheesecake makes a delightful summer pudding – recipe – These five vegetables will be ready to harvest by summer if you plant them now – The beautiful island country where it’s already 40C in May
Brits See 536 Hours of Sunshine Each Summer, But Many Don’t Make the Most of It
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