One in four Brits claim they have ‘no time to relax’ – a study has found.
Long working hours, struggling to switch off at the end of the day and hectic family lives mean millions often have days where they get no down time at all.
One in four even went as far as to say they never get any time to themselves, and one quarter of those who do admitted they no longer know how to relax.
It’s not just during the week that people find it hard to relax though with 46 per cent even struggling to unwind at the weekend or when they go on holiday.
The stats emerged in a study by Healthspan, which commissioned the research to support the launch of its new cannabidiol (CBD) oil supplements which support wellbeing.
Psychologist Dr Megan Arroll said: “Just as sleep offers an important restorative function, so does rest, relaxation and down-time.
“Our societies and technologies have evolved so much that we now need to schedule in more of these vital forms of restoration, which can be active such as creative art-making or more passive such as listening to music.
“The important thing is to find time to relax – use whatever works for you but do make sure to add some ‘me time’ into your daily activities.
“Relaxing, winding down and unplugging from our busy lives is important as it gives our bodies and minds a chance to recalibrate.
“Over half of the people in the survey stated that not being able to relax had impacted on their sleep, caused further anxiety and even lead to feelings of depression.”
The study of 2,000 adults found almost two hours a day is spent feeling stressed or worried, with more than four in 10 saying they find it hard to switch off and relax.
Fifty-seven per cent of people have been so wound up, they have even had others comment on their stressed-out demeanour or tell them that they need to relax more.
Almost a third of people put their struggle to chill out down to ‘being a worrier’ while another three in 10 say they find it hard to switch their brain off and stop thinking about everything.
Thirty per cent also say they are ‘too busy’ to take a step back from everything while others blame their partner, children and their job for their lack of relaxation.
As a result, half of the population wish they had more time to relax with the average adult willing to pay £78.60 for an hour of relaxation.
Almost one in 10 happy to part with £100 or more.
But the study, carried out via OnePoll.com, found that as a result of not being able to relax, 47 per cent have suffered muscle tension, while 58 per cent have been left feeling irritable.
Others have problems sleeping, crave comfort foods or feel more tired than usual.
Six in 10 admit feeling wound up has an effect on their relationship with others and 34 per cent say it often leads to them overreacting to small things they would usually just ignore.
It also emerged almost one in five have even sought professional help because they found it so hard to switch off and relax.
And three in 100 have turned to cannabidiol supplements, known as CBD oil, in a bid to help them relax.
Dr Sarah Brewer, Medical Director of Healthspan, added: ‘Cannabidiol, or CBD, oil is one of the fastest growing wellbeing supplements in both the US and the UK.
“Derived from industrial hemp plants, it has a lifting and relaxing effect on mood with none of the adverse psychoactive effects associated with marijuana.
“It is perfectly legal to take. CBD oil acts via the body’s own endocannabinoid system to promote feelings of wellbeing.
“It’s a great choice if you are finding it difficult to relax, as it is not habit forming.”
Top 10 things which stop people from relaxing:
1. I’m a worrier
2. I struggle to switch off
3. I’m too busy
4. My job
5. I am too stressed or anxious
6. My children
7. I have too many people relying on me
8. I suffer from anxiety
9. My partner
10. I just don’t really know how to relax
ENDS
