Three in five adults have ignored tasks on to-do list - leading to stress

25 January 2023 , 12:53

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Three in five admit they have ignored tasks on their to-do list (Image: SWNS)

Brits typically have four hours' worth of life admin to complete at any given time – from booking a dentist appointment and signing up to their local GP surgery, to making a will.

Nearly three in five adults (58%) admit they have ignored a number of tasks on their to-do list, typically putting these chores off for three months.

More than a tenth (12%), of the 2,000 adults polled, feel it takes too long to tick things off their list, while 15% blame time constraints for their lack of action.

However, six in ten are left suffering “Paperwork Panic” as the admin tasks mount up – with a third feeling stressed, while 20% even find their health worsening.

To make matters worse, 19% have let their insurance policy run out, resulting in them getting caught by not being covered when they needed it.

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And a fifth also believe the amount of tasks on their to-do lists has increased over the past 12 months.

But a third feel stressed when the paperwork piles up (Getty Images)

Katie Wadey, from Simplyhealth, which commissioned the research, said: “It is worrying to see that one in four have experienced problems, such as stress and worsening health, as a result of putting off admin tasks.

“We are currently facing a number of challenges, with the cost-of-living crisis, energy costs, and NHS pressure – coupled with admin tasks increasing, it can feel overwhelming.

“Our findings show that for a fifth of Brits, the amount of admin they are required to do has increased in the past year.”

On reflection, almost half (46%) of all those polled wish they were taught how to complete common life admin tasks during their school years.

And sadly, 74% don’t have someone they are able to turn to for help when they need it.

Of those who do, their partner is the person they would always go to, with mums and dads also high on the help list.

Nearly four in ten would like more available assistance for when needing to complete certain admin tasks, and 40% are more likely to do it successfully if they can do it online or via an app.

But the study, carried out via OnePoll, found that while 48% don’t enjoy doing it, when it’s done, 89% are left feeling satisfied.

Katie Wadey added: “We understand that more needs to be done to break down barriers to good dental and health care, and that’s why we are focused on simple and fast solutions that enable people to manage their health.

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“Our health and dental plans cut through the red tape, freeing up more time for the important things in life – providing affordable and accessible healthcare for all.”

Andrew Young