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Work Life Balance
Work Life Balance
Pge 1: switching off, Pge 2: pick of the 2008 diaries
 British Women Struggling to Switch Off
32% of British women admit to having trouble sleeping at night, 86% doing something to help them drop off to sleep, according to new research from Legal & General.
As many British women increasingly deal with tiredness as part of their everyday life, lack of sleep is being seen as one of the nation’s biggest health complaints. The research of 4,400 adults reveals the lengths tired out Brits will go to in order to sleep, and how their lifestyles could be affecting their sleep patterns.
Women’s Sleepless Nights
The report says that 'Juggling motherhood, working, socialising and running a home during the day, may be part of the reason why women struggle to switch off at night.' You don't say.
So how do we working mums try to lose the stress of the day? While the most popular methods used to try to drop off are the same for women and men, such as reading a book, used by 57% of women yet only 35% of men or watching TV, 32% of women and 24% of men, more women than men will try other ways to get their sleep:
• 31% need to check that the front door is locked before they sleep;
• 29% sleep with a window open;
• Women are twice as likely as men to have a bath, 22% compared with 9% of men or have a warm milky drink to help them sleep,16% compared to 8% or do a crossword, 11% compared with 5%.
When women do sleep:
• They are likely to suffer nightmares, 8%;
• 12% are likely to talk in their sleep;
• Only 12% admitting to snoring compared to 24% of men
And possibly as a result of their restless nights, 34% of women compared to 27% of men find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning.
Sleep Patterns
• With 69% of Brits needing to do something to help them sleep, although the bedroom is normally associated with being a zone of tranquillity, 28% watch TV to help them sleep. This could indicate that 'junk sleep' is affecting adults as much as teenagers who miss out on sleep because they’re hooked to the screen.
• Young couples with no children are the most likely to rely on the TV to help them fall asleep, 35%.
• 30% of multi-generational families mentioned they had difficultly sleeping.
• Young professionals living in house shares are likely to suffer sleep problems, with one in ten, 10% admitting to buying ear plugs to help them sleep compared to the 4% of Brits on average. Young professionals are also the most likely to find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning, 55%.
• People living on their own being the most likely to invite pets to sleep with them, 10% or alternatively to read a book, 51%.
Regional Findings
• People in the North East have the most difficulty sleeping, 33%, compared to 23% of West Country folk who find it easier to drop off.
• People in the Midlands and North East are the most likely to watch TV to help them sleep, 31%.
• The Scottish are the most likely to employ a relaxation routine to help them sleep, 82%.
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Diana Wolfin, author of 'Back to Work - A Guide for Women Returners' on staying energised in the wintertime..
Are you one of the many working mothers who work part-time from home? Perhaps you don’t even feel that you qualify as a “working mother” as you don’t have a traditional workplace role.
But even if you are working from home, on the dining-room table, in the spare bedroom or perched in some inaccessible area of your home, you are still performing the juggling act with which all working mothers struggle. Perhaps you are a writer, or outsourcing your services, maybe you are one of a growing band of “mumpreneurs” who are starting their own businesses. Perhaps those other mums who have a boss to account to, set hours which have to be worked and demands from clients, might think that you have a much easier option.
However, working from home brings its own challenges – you still need quality time away from your children to concentrate on the task in hand; you still rely on childcare which may let you down; and friends and family, seeing you at home, may think you have time for socialising. Some working mothers I know have a visible sign, a ribbon or a polite notice, either on the front door or on the room where they are working, which indicates, “Please let me work, I can talk to you later”.
If this is you, let’s applaud the focus and discipline which you must need to succeed in this role – the working mother who works from home is part of a growing band!
Diana Wolfin – Changing Direction – 020 8868 7818
Email: dianawolfin@
changingdirection.com
Web: www.changing
direction.com
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