Stress causing Brits to consume an extra 78 million cups of coffee a day

Almost a third of British people (28 per cent) are drinking more coffee in an effort to alleviate the stress of the pandemic, finds new research out today from coffee experts Coffee Direct.

A whopping 78 milion extra cups per day are being consumed by thirsty Brits since the beginning of COVID, largely due to the increased numbers of people working from home since the start of the pandemic. Only one in 10 (13 per cent) say they are drinking less since March last year.

According to the new findings from Coffee Direct, who deliver freshly roasted coffee beans directly to your door, one in five Brits claim their caffeine consumption has exclated and they are drinking one more coffee each day; more than one in five (22 per cent) are consuming two or more; one in 10, three more a day; and less than one in 20 (4 per cent) are consuming four-seven more cups per day.

The most common reasons for drinking more coffee at home are:

• Taking more breaks (62 per cent)
• To help with stress (28 per cent)
• To increase motivation (27 per cent)

The new research also shows that, on average, people are drinking around two fewer take away coffees per week.

Lewis Spencer, Founder of Coffee Direct says “The way in which our lives have transformed in such a short space of time has heavily impacted our daily routines, which has seemingly resulted in an increasing number of cups of coffee.

“This trend is supported by a 96 per cent uplift in online coffee orders since late March last year, across our entire range of freshly roasted coffee beans, including our filter, Espresso, percolator and Cafetiere lines. We’ve also seen a rise in orders for whole coffee beans, showing an increase in people keen to grind their own beans and make their coffee from scratch – perhaps because they have more time to do so now they’re working from home.”

Psychologist and Wellbeing Consultant, Lee Chambers (MSc MBPsS), shares his thoughts on the results:

“Firstly, we are surrounded by more environment cues to “brew up” when working from home – our domestic environments are designed to live, relax and express ourselves in. As we have more authority over our working patterns, incorporating making a coffee into our schedule, gives us those moments of disconnection that are vital to our wellbeing. With the social coffee shop experience being limited, it can also feel like a treat – a moment of peace carved out for ourselves in uncertain times.

“What is clear is that the making of coffee is gaining significance as an activity that provides benefits – in the future, I’m sure we’ll be looking to combine the social benefits of coffee with the creative and relaxing elements in the dynamic world we live in.”

Jay Bhayani, employment lawyer and Managing Director of HR law firm, Bhayani Law, says: “Coffee drinking, as with other habits, seems to be on the increase when people are working from home. One of the problem areas is the lack of breaks taken, as a coffee can be drunk whilst still working. As an employment lawyer I have seen a huge increase in mental health issues for home workers. Employers should be checking in with their staff regularly, and should ensure they have home working policies which encourage regular breaks and physical activity, even if it’s a short walk or some ‘deskercise’.”