The typical Brit spends two and a half hours each day on autopilot, according to a survey of 2,000 adults. The poll revealed that many spend significant portions of their day performing tasks with little conscious thought or awareness, such as commuting, preparing lunch, getting dressed, and engaging in small talk.
Nearly a quarter of respondents admitted to going through the motions while grocery shopping, whilst 22 per cent do so when cooking, and an equal number switch to autopilot mode during housework. A third of people regularly worry that life is passing them by due to their tendency to go on autopilot, with 68 per cent keen to shake things up and create more memorable experiences, according to a study.
The research was commissioned by biscuit company Maryland S’wich, which has collaborated with creative studio, 3D Joe and Max to produce an optical illusion at London’s King’s Cross station.
Unveiled today, the 3D artwork gives the impression that the floor has been torn open, revealing a colourful utopian underground filled with greenery and giant cookie sandwiches.
The mural, which took 176 hours to construct and measures seven by five metres, was designed to “jolt passers-by out of autopilot.”
A spokesperson for the biscuit brand said: “We found that Brits are struggling with slipping into autopilot and spending too much time each day going through the motions, not taking note of what’s important.
“We believe switching things up, particularly mundane tasks, to make them more fun is a great way to be more present which is why we commissioned this piece.
“We spend so much time looking down at our phones, so we wanted to challenge this, and give commuters something more joyful to look down at.”
The study discovered that as many as 20 per cent of adults feel disconnected in everyday life, which might explain why 70 per cent want to feel more “present, alive, and joyful” in general.
Two thirds consider living on autopilot to be a part of adulthood, but a third believe they spend too much time in this mode, typically doing so four times a day.
The biggest causes of it are repetition (34 per cent), tiredness (25 per cent), and boredom (20 per cent).
TOP 30 TASKS BRITS DO ON AUTOPILOT
- Cleaning your teeth
- Washing up
- Showering/bathing
- Watching TV
- Getting dressed
- Making a cup of tea or coffee
- Turning off lights
- Washing and folding laundry
- Scrolling on your phone
- Eating meals
- Doing housework
- Checking emails
- Putting on shoes
- Putting the bins out
- Grocery shopping
- Locking up the house
- Cooking/preparing a meal
- Driving
- Checking the weather
- Filling the dishwasher
- Changing the bedsheets
- My job
- Commuting daily
- Feeding pets
- Styling your hair
- Setting an alarm
- Personal admin
- Deciding what to make for dinner
- Small talk
- Applying make-up
