As Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5th, many residents of Germany—both religious and non-religious—opt to give up certain habits or products for seven weeks leading up to Easter, seeking a break from established consumption patterns.
According to a survey by the DAK health insurance company, one in two Germans occasionally participates in this tradition.
A YouGov survey of 12,000 German residents has revealed that the hardest thing for Germans to give up during Lent is watching TV. A notable 14 percent of respondents admitted that they struggle most with this. Coming in second place are chocolate and other sweets, with 12 percent finding it difficult to go without them.
Social media also proves challenging, as 11 percent of participants said quitting these platforms temporarily is the hardest for them. Eight percent of Germans find it tough to refrain from driving their cars, instead opting for cycling or walking more during the period. Additionally, another 8 percent reported that going without meat or sausage products for the duration of Lent is their biggest challenge.
