Most Brits are willing to rely on gut instinct to make big life decisions

The top decisions Brits have made on gut instinct include what gifts to buy for loved ones, and whether to leave an existing job

Three-quarters of Brits are willing to rely on gut instinct when making big life decisions – like buying a house, changing jobs, and which school to send their kids to.

A study of 2,000 adults found they might have good reason for doing so, as more often than not – six times out of ten – this method has proved successful.

Many of those polled have used their gut to decide things such as what gifts to buy for loved ones (25 percent), where to go on holiday (25 percent), and even whether to visit the doctors (22 percent).

While almost a quarter (24 percent) have depended on it when weighing up whether to leave their job.

And one in ten have gone with their instincts when deciding if they should accept a wedding proposal.

Commissioned by makers of gut health products, Biotiful, the study found more than a quarter are “unaware” of the benefits of gut health, despite “relying on it” for decisions.

Founder Natasha Bowes said: “The adage “gut instinct” is familiar to all of us and there is growing evidence suggesting the gut truly is our “second brain”.

“If we all listen to our guts regularly, we need to make sure they are the healthiest that they can be.”

The study also found nearly three-quarters (71 percent) believe they tend to make better decisions when they don’t think about them too much.

Although 64 percent admit they have a tendency to do just that – overthink things.

However, three in ten have increasingly depended on their instincts as they’ve got older – which may suggest we become more knowledgeable with age and experience.

But there are times when we’re more likely to make a gut decision rather than what could be considered a rational one.

Almost half (46 percent) cited this as being when “there’s no time to think”, while 31 percent would turn to it in a life-or-death scenario.

However, the study, carried out through OnePoll, found despite so many relying on instinct to make decisions, 78 percent don’t know the benefits of “good” bacteria on their gut.

This means they don’t know that “good” bacteria supports immune function and helps control inflammation.

TOP 20 “BIG” DECISIONS THE UK HAS RELIED ON GUT INSTINCT:

1. What gifts to buy for loved ones
2. Where to go on holiday
3. Whether to leave an existing job
4. Whether to go to the doctors
5. Whether or not to date someone
6. To buy a car
7. Picking lottery numbers/when betting
8. Whether to use a tradesperson
9. To get pets
10. Whether to move to a new location
11. Important work-related decisions
12. How to decorate/renovate a house
13. Whether to change careers
14. Whether and where to invest money
15. To have kids
16. Which school to send my kids to
17. Whether to employ someone for a job
18. To borrow a large amount of money
19. To lend someone a large amount of money
20. Booking an especially expensive holiday like a honeymoon