The new survey was conducted by  Advanced Dermatology, located in  Lincolnshire and Glencoe, Illinois. 

Seventy-four percent of people say they wish they’d taken better care of themselves this past year, including many admitting to sub-par skincare and grooming, finds a new survey of more than 2,022 people by Advanced Dermatology located in Lincolnshire and Glencoe, Illinois. 

Other unhealthy habits included less time outdoors, less physical activity, overeating, eating junk food and poor posture. The most common reason cited for unhealthy habits? The emotional toll, stress and anxiety of living through a pandemic.  Sixty-one percent of those who say they should have taken better care of themselves have already started to make progress toward healthier lifestyles by sleeping better, eating healthier foods and getting more physical activity. 

Fully 61 percent of respondents said they’ve gained weight during the pandemic, at an average of ten pounds per person.  In addition to eating more and exercising less, one in five people said part of their weight gain was due to not feeling the pressure of having to see other people in social situations.

When asked about morning routines, respondents said they spent less time on outfits, less time on hair and make-up, shaved and showered less and used less skincare.

While bad habits were more prevalent on the whole, a significant number of people bucked those trends and emerged all the better. Notably, 41 percent of people say they’ve gotten more sleep than before the pandemic, and only 14 percent have been slacking on oral hygiene.

The survey took place from January 19 – 27, 2021. Fifty-six percent of respondents were female and 44 percent were male, with an average age of 39 years old and an age range of 18 to 68 years old.