Commuting to work and getting children to school is the most stressful time of day, according to a new poll. The answers of 2,000 adults in the UK were averaged out and results suggested that 7.23am was the most stressful time of their day.
They were also asked to rank the top 50 most stressful events in a typical day. Being stuck in traffic, spilling something on the carpet, and waking up late were among the top five.
The poll found that adults face about three stressful events every day. They occur about an hour earlier in women than men.
It comes after a study warned last month that being stressed, nervous, or exhausted in middle age may increase the risk of dementia.
Scroll down to see the top 50 most stressful daily events
Survey respondents said among the top 50 most stressful events that could strike during the day was being stuck in a car. Don’t tell anyone in Los Angeles! (stock image)
The latest research was commissioned by UK-based company Rescue Remedy, which sells tablets, creams, and liquids that claim to help ease stress.
Zuzana Bustikova, head of global brands at Rescue Remedy-owner Nelsons, said: ‘Often when we think “drama” we think big, but the research shows how much of an impact seemingly small niggles can have on our daily moods.
‘We know that a poor night’s sleep can offset the whole day, and challenging days can often result in sleepless nights.
‘So, it’s no wonder that mornings are when the first drama is experienced.’
The survey found that the top causes of daily stresses included tiredness – 46 percent of participants said this was the case – an interrupted night’s sleep (36 percent) and a busy day at work (33 percent).
The stressful events people faced were most likely to leave them frustrated (32 percent), anxious (23 percent), or tired (21 percent).
Adults also said they typically have five things on their mind at one time, while 16 percent said they likely faced more stressful events during the day than others.
About 33 percent of Americans say they are stressed every day, according to estimates, while in the UK one in 14 adults feels stressed daily.
Experts warn that when we are chronically stressed it activates the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response.
This sparks a rise in adrenaline, which raises the heart rate and blood pressure. More cortisol can also be released which raises the amount of sugar in the bloodstream.
In the wild, this evolved to keep someone alert until a perceived threat had passed — such as a predator — before hormone levels return to normal.
But in the modern world, this system can be set to be constantly on, posing a number of health risks to the body.
Previous research has shown that chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and a weakened immune system.
What were the top causes of stress?
1. Stuck in traffic
2. Spilling something down clothing e.g. food, drink, make-up, toothpaste
3. Dropping and smashing something accidentally e.g. a glass, a bowl
4. Waking up late
5. Spilling something on the carpet
6. Burning food
7. A pan of boiling water bubbling over onto the hob
8. Tripping over in public
9. Struggling to find a parking space
10. Being late for work
11. Forgetting carrier bags at the supermarket
12. Being pooed on by a bird
13. Spilling something on the sofa
14. Being locked out
15. Car engine not starting
16. Being late or missing public transport e.g. bus, train
17. Public transport being cancelled
18. Sending a text/message to the wrong person
19. Deciding what to have for dinner
20. Forgetting an umbrella in the rain
21. Deciding what to wear
22. Checking my bank balance and having less money than I expected
23. Forgetting someone else’s birthday
24. Mess caused by a child or pet
25. Clothes you want to wear being in the wash
26. Leaving my wallet/purse at home
27. Forgetting the trolley coin at the supermarket
28. Getting a parking ticket
29. Having a backlog of emails
30. A friend owing money and not paying it back
31. Losing keys (car or house keys)
32. Experiencing road rage
33. Forgetting ingredients for a meal
34. Ripping tights
35. Leaving it too long to return an item to a shop e.g. for a refund
36. Lightbulb going and not having any spears
37. Realising an email you thought you’d sent is in your ‘drafts’
38. Forgetting important life admin e.g. MOT, insurance renewal, meter readings etc
39. Not knowing how to reply to a message e.g. text, dating app, social media
40. Trying to organise social plans
41. Spilling a drink on technology e.g. laptop, phone etc
42. Accidentally ‘liking’ someone’s post on social media from years ago
43. Being late due to having to de-ice the car
44. Having lots of text/WhatsApp messages to reply to
45. Playing something on your phone out loud in public e.g. a video, voice note etc
46. Choking in public e.g. on a drink
47. Getting a puncture while cycling
48. Forgetting about a meeting and simply not turning up
49. Late to pick my child up / drop them off e.g. at school, a party, activity club etc
50. Hair dryer or straighteners breaking
Source: Rescue Remedy. List voted on by a group of 2,000 Britons.