Britons have picked up at least five new rituals during lockdown, poll finds

A third of those polled have picked up “good” habits during lockdown

The poll found 29 per cent were embracing more time with nature (PA)

Briton’s are creatures of habit and have picked up at least five new rituals as a result of being home more than usual during the pandemic.

A study of 2,000 adults revealed that more than a third have picked up “good” habits during lockdown.

Although one in six confessed to developing some new “bad” habits along the way too.

The survey, commissioned by Yakult, a Japanese probiotic company, revealed almost eight in 10 intend to stick with the changes they have made recently.

It also emerged that seven in 10 adults feel secure and happy thanks to their routines, with 65 per cent even believing it has helped with their mental wellbeing.

Almost two thirds (64 per cent) of those who are exercising more claim their wellbeing has improved, while 65 per cent also said eating a balanced diet helped.

Japanese lifestyle expert Candice Kumai, who is working with Yakult, said: “My heritage inspires me to focus on traditions and time-tested cultural wellness rituals.

“We learn so much from our ancestors’ wellbeing rituals, and it is imperative to not only implement these in our daily lives but also introduce our own new rituals – just like the research shows.”

The study also found that over lockdown, fondness for the outdoors increased, with 29 per cent embracing more time with nature.

Baking and cooking from scratch also rose in popularity after 27 per cent introduced this ritual into their lives.

It also emerged 31 per cent have taken inspiration from Japan’s Marie Kondo and developed a tendancy for decluttering their homes.

And 18 per cent of those polled via OnePoll are calming the mind through meditating or exploring mindfulness during this unsettling period.

Being at home so much more and needing to feel more organised and in control were the main reasons Britons claim to have picked up new habits and rituals – as well as having more time on their hands.

Spending more time with family and keeping in contact with those closest also had a massive impact.