29.03.2024

Scientists have found the most stressful time of the day down to the minute

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)

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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *