From the moment we are born until the end of our lives, the way we spend our time is shaped by a combination of necessity, routine, and personal choice. If we consider the average lifespan in the United Kingdom to be around eighty years, it becomes fascinating to reflect on how those years are distributed across various activities. Sleep, for instance, occupies the largest portion of our lives. On average, a person will spend approximately twenty-six years asleep. This is hardly surprising, given that most adults require between seven and eight hours of sleep each night to function optimally. Sleep is not merely a passive activity; it is essential for our physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. The cumulative effect of nightly rest means that, by the time we reach old age, we will have spent nearly a third of our existence in slumber.
Work is another significant component of our lives. The average Briton will dedicate around thirteen years to employment over the course of their lifetime. This figure encompasses not only the hours spent at the workplace but also the time invested in commuting, and professional development. Work provides structure, purpose, and financial security, but it also demands a considerable investment of time and energy.
Leisure activities, too, claim a substantial share of our time. Watching television, for example, accounts for roughly nine years of the average life. This may seem excessive at first glance, but when you consider the daily habit of unwinding in front of the television after a long day, the hours quickly accumulate. Shopping is another activity that occupies a surprising amount of time – about eight and a half years in total. This includes not only the weekly grocery run but also the countless hours spent browsing shops, both in person and online, searching for everything from clothes to household essentials.
Listening to music is a particularly interesting category, as it often accompanies other activities. Over a lifetime, the average person will spend around thirteen years enjoying music, whether it is during a commute, while exercising, or simply as a backdrop to daily life. Music has the power to uplift, soothe, and inspire, making it a constant companion throughout the years.
Eating, a necessity of life, takes up about five years in total. This encompasses not only the act of consuming food but also the time spent preparing meals, dining with family and friends, and savouring special occasions. Social media, a relatively recent addition to our daily routines, now occupies around three years of the average lifetime. The time spent scrolling through feeds, sharing updates, and engaging with online communities has become a defining feature of modern life.
Commuting and housework, though often seen as mundane, are unavoidable aspects of adulthood. Each of these activities consumes about two years of our lives. Whether it is the daily journey to work or the regular cycle of cleaning and tidying, these tasks are essential to maintaining order and stability. Exercise, while essential for health, tends to receive less attention, with the average person dedicating just over a year to physical activity over their lifetime.
Other activities, such as spending time in the pub, queuing, romance, and even being hungover, each account for roughly one to two years. These moments, though seemingly minor in isolation, contribute to the rich tapestry of everyday life. Even time spent on the toilet or waiting in line adds up over the decades, reminding us that every minute counts.
Finally, there is a category for everything else – those unplanned, spontaneous, or miscellaneous moments that do not fit neatly into any other group. This might include holidays, hobbies, creative pursuits, or simply time spent daydreaming. Altogether, these activities make up about eight years of the average life.
When viewed as a whole, this breakdown offers a striking perspective on the passage of time. The majority of our lives are spent sleeping and working, with leisure activities and daily routines filling much of the remainder. Only a small fraction is left for the unexpected joys and challenges that make life unique. Reflecting on these figures can be both sobering and motivating, encouraging us to make conscious choices about how we spend our precious time and to seek a balance that brings fulfilment and happiness throughout our years.
| Activity | Years spent | Days | Hours |
| Sleeping | 26–27 | 9,496 | 227,916 |
| Working | 12–13 | 4,748 | 113,952 |
| Eating | 4.5–6 | 1,643–2,190 | 39,432–52,560 |
| Watching TV | 8.8 | 3,031 | 72,744 |
| Social media | 3 | 1,095 | 26,280 |
| Shopping | 8.5 | 3,103 | 74,472 |
| Commuting | 1.5–3.3 | 588–1,204 | 14,112–28,896 |
| Housework/chores | 1.25–4 | 456–1,460 | 10,944–35,040 |
| Exercise | 1.3 | 475 | 11,400 |
| In the pub | 1 | 368 | 8,832 |
| Romance | 1.1 | 395 | 9,480 |
| On the toilet | 1.1 | 400 | 9,600 |
| Queuing | 0.6–1.4 | 235–511 | 5,640–12,264 |
| Listening to music | 13 | 4,745 | 113,880 |
| Being hungover | 2 | 730 | 17,520 |
Links
https://ourworldindata.org/time-use
https://www.thefactsite.com/how-much-time-people-spend-doing-stuff/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4186598/How-time-spend-activities-lifetime.html
https://www.dreams.co.uk/sleep-matters-club/your-life-in-numbers-infographic
