Nearly all Dutch people (92%) view relaxation as crucial to a healthy life, yet almost half (45%) make no effort to relax more often. Fatigue, stress, and lack of time are the top barriers to achieving health goals in relaxation and exercise, according to a Kantar study commissioned by Zilveren Kruis.
There's broad consensus that regular exercise (80%), healthy eating (91%), sufficient relaxation (92%), and good sleep (91%) are vital for well-being. However, turning these ideals into reality proves challenging. Key contradictions emerge: one in five feels unfit to exercise, and 30% are too tired to relax. A healthy lifestyle energizes but demands effort—three in ten Dutch report insufficient relaxation, sleep, or nutritious food, rising to 44% for exercise.
Clear Gender Differences Dutch people rate their health at 7.2 out of 10, a solid score. Yet they're tougher on their lifestyles, with nearly one in four giving themselves low marks for exercise. Women face greater hurdles: 45% struggle with regular activity (vs. 31% of men), and 28% have trouble sleeping enough (vs. 18% of men). Women more often cite fatigue, stress, time shortages, and household duties as obstacles.
Small Steps for Big Health Gains
Beyond personal factors like stress and low motivation, external issues—work demands, packed schedules, or bad weather—also impede progress. The good news? Simple changes at home or work can build healthier habits effectively.
