Gaby
A team of sociologists from the international market research company OnePoll has discovered that the most stressful time of day for most working adults is 8:15 AM.
To reach this conclusion, researchers surveyed 2,000 adults of both genders. The overwhelming majority of participants reported that preparing for another workday, getting children ready for daycare or school, and commuting to work make mornings the most hectic time of the day. More than half of the respondents (51 percent) admitted that they feel most overwhelmed from the moment they get out of bed, and they always struggle to find enough time to fulfill their obligations and get everything done.
What Else the Researchers Found
The majority of those surveyed spend an average of 20 minutes and 28 seconds each morning dealing with unexpected complications and setbacks, despite this chaotic time requiring particular punctuality.
At least 35 percent of respondents reported feeling some level of stress at the start of the day. This feeling is nearly constant for most participants, according to the Daily Mail.
About half of the volunteers (47 percent) stated that they are currently more overwhelmed than ever before in their lives.
Confusion as a result of stress was reported by more than a third of the survey participants: 35 percent said they don’t know how to carve out time for activities that could make them happy. Approximately 37 percent of respondents complained to researchers that they have forgotten how to make time for their own needs and hobbies.
Among their usual morning challenges, volunteers mentioned waking up, losing house keys, figuring out what to wear, and rushing to school with their children. Participants who were parents agreed that the unpredictability of children’s behavior often turns even a well-planned morning routine into chaos.
The sociologists obtained these results following recent studies warning that stress, anxiety, or exhaustion in middle age can increase the risk of developing dementia.
How to Combat Morning Stress
The researchers offered several simple hacks to help make mornings more manageable and calm.
To make better use of morning time, it’s advisable to prepare work clothes or lunch items the night before.
Adult family members should establish a simple and consistent morning routine for everyone in the household. A well-rehearsed plan for getting ready for work or school can help everyone feel better, even on days when you wake up particularly tired.
Parents are advised to wake up at least 30 minutes before their children to dedicate more time to their own preparation for the new day.
The researchers also believe it’s important to delegate more household chores and responsibilities to children, of course, in accordance with their age. After all, these tasks can be turned into a fun game.
Both parents and children are encouraged to limit morning use of phones and computers, as well as to avoid social media, video games, and TV shows. These are all thieves of precious morning minutes.
Finally, alarm clocks and kitchen timers should not be overlooked. They are the best and most reliable organizational tools in situations where time is of the essence.
