Lent begins on Wednesday. Abstinence between Carnival and Easter is becoming increasingly popular, especially among young people under 30. These graphics show where Germans most often do without.
Christian Lent traditionally begins on Ash Wednesday. For a total of 46 days until Easter Saturday, people avoid meat or other luxury foods during this time. In recent years, annoying habits such as smoking, driving or spending long periods of time on your smartphone have been increasingly restricted.
According to a survey by the health insurance company DAK, fasting is particularly popular among young people. 76 percent of people under the age of 30 think it makes sense to temporarily abstain from stimulants such as alcohol or temporarily limit the use of smartphones and the Internet. The older the respondents get, the less they can imagine fasting. In the overall population the value is at least 67 percent.
When it comes to fasting preferences, there are differences between younger and older people. Compared to the national average, 18 to 30 year olds are more likely to be willing to give up meat (62 percent), give up smoking (58 percent) or reduce their internet use (30 percent).
The differences between the sexes are not that serious. Women are more willing to give up alcohol, sweets and meat. The men surveyed were more likely to say they stopped smoking and watching TV. However, the differences were not particularly large in all categories surveyed.
High willingness to fast among the population
In Germany there is also a general willingness to fast. According to the results of the survey, one in two people have often gone without a certain luxury food or consumer good for several weeks. Another 18 percent have fasted at least once. For only 21 percent, i.e. one in five people surveyed, fasting would not be an option at all.
People would most likely start with luxury foods. 77 percent can imagine giving up alcohol, 72 percent can imagine giving up sweets. For 54 percent, temporarily giving up meat is also conceivable. 50 percent would give up smoking.
There is less willingness to temporarily forgo means of communication. Only 26 percent would give up smartphones and the Internet. Here too, however, there is an increase compared to the previous year. The digital detox is also becoming more popular. The reasons most respondents gave for a digital detox were wanting to be less stressed and have more time for themselves.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
