Embracing the homebody lifestyle
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are embracing the homebody lifestyle, according to new research.
ATLANTA – New research reveals that the pandemic-era trend of staying in and doing fewer out-of-home activities is continuing.
And it is apparently affecting people and society on many levels, from psychology to sociology to economics.
What we know:
The study from Clemson University and UCLA’s Institutes of Transportation Studies show that since 2019, Americans have reduced their time spent on out-of-home activities by nearly an hour per day. The average time for out-of-home activities fell from 334 minutes or 5.5 hours per day to 271 (4.5 hours) in 2021.
The backstory:
The habits formed during the COVID-19 lockdowns have led to a widespread embrace of the “homebody” lifestyle.
Eric Morris, one of the researchers, noted, “Eating, drinking at bars and restaurants has also gone down. Maybe we need less shopping, which people are doing less of. Maybe we need fewer restaurants.” He also highlighted the challenges for commercial real estate and municipalities, adding, “Some municipal areas are getting hit really bad with office vacancy, and their downtowns are having a lot of trouble recovering.”
Why you should care:
The shift to fewer out-of-home activities impacts local economies, retail businesses, and urban planning. Lower foot traffic at retail locations has created challenges for commercial real estate and city infrastructure, prompting researchers to consider adjustments to future projects.
What’s next:
As these trends continue, urban planners and municipalities may need to rethink infrastructure to adapt to decreased demand for retail and dining spaces. This could include repurposing underused areas or creating more community-centered spaces to meet evolving needs.