By Aleksandra Vayntraub // SWNS
NEWS COPY w/ VIDEO + INFOGRAPHIC
Two-thirds of Americans believe they’d be more motivated to pursue a healthy lifestyle if there were a material reward, according to new research.
A recent survey of 2,000 Americans found nearly two-thirds already reward themselves for working out or achieving fitness goals; three in five relax and unwind, more than half watch a TV show or movie, and almost half treat themselves to a favorite food or beverage.
While just as many respondents treat themselves for getting their finances in order, three in five worry that prioritizing one type of goal (e.g., getting in shape) may make it more difficult to achieve a different one (e.g., saving money).
Results also found that financial rewards, such as significant discounts to their favorite stores, were a much bigger incentive than “nice-to-haves” like medals, trophies or tickets to sporting events and concerts.
Conducted by OnePoll in collaboration with Walgreens, the survey also examined the reasons wellness and financial goals can sometimes be at odds with each other.
More than two in five agreed that wellness goals are more difficult to accomplish, which may be why 57% place financial goals at the forefront of their minds.
Sometimes, though, the smaller accomplishments can have a domino effect — more than half said saving money via discounts or coupons often gives their mental health a boost.
Other simple goals that gave respondents a spring in their step included completing errands (43%) and drinking enough water (42%).
While shopping for essentials can sometimes feel like a chore, respondents said they feel good about being able to provide themselves and their families with groceries/healthy food (55%), personal care items/toiletries (49%), beauty/self-care products (44%) and pet food/supplies (41%).
Three in five said they felt good about getting something they needed, while more than half echoed this sentiment when they bought essential items at a great value.
Nearly eight in 10 also said checking things off their “to-do” list makes them feel productive.
According to those polled, boosting productivity can be just a matter of cleaning up/organizing (60%), paying the bills (53%) and doing laundry (50%).
“Our survey reinforces what we’ve heard from our customers – that financial and personal wellness goals can oftentimes feel at odds,” said Maria Smith, vice president of payments & financial services at Walgreens. “We aim to help our customers and patients achieve both financial and personal wellness goals, which is why we’ve introduced the new myWalgreens Credit Card, which provides up to 10% Walgreens Cash rewards for purchases that support personal wellness when shopping at Walgreens, the grocery store, their local gym or wherever Mastercard is accepted.”
WELLNESS GOALS THAT MERIT REWARDS
- Hitting specific milestones (e.g. daily water goals) (40%)
- Making a smart grocery list (34%)
- Going to the doctor (30%)
- Losing/gaining weight (30%)
- Learning a difficult exercise (27%)
- Attending a workout session or class (25%)
- Getting toned (23%)
- Adhering to prescription/vitamin/supplement regimen (23%)
- Visiting with family and friends (15%)
REWARDS THAT WOULD MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO BE HEALTHIER
- Credit/gift cards to a favorite store or website (56%)
- Significant discounts or coupons for my favorite store or website (56%)
- Self-care/beauty products or treatments (48%)
- Free “essentials” (household items, detergent, paper goods, etc.) (45%)
- My favorite treats or snacks (42%)
- Cash (41%)
FINANCIAL GOALS THAT MERIT REWARDS
- Sticking to a budget (53%)
- Paying off a credit card balance (51%)
- Hitting a milestone (i.e., saving) (45%)
- Making an investment (40%)
- Paying off a debt/student loan (37%)
- Building an emergency fund (35%)
- Contributing to a retirement account (18%)
