Home » Womens Health

Womens Health

Nation of super mums want more time for me

A new survey has revealed that the average mother in the UK needs an extra 3.5 hours every day to be able to fit in some ‘me time’ - personally, that doesn't sound like enough! When stress levels are high you can become run down quickly, especially at this time of year. It's easy to want comfort foods and not exercise but ironically a healthy diet and exercise are more crucial during the winter!

The survey also found that: • UK super mums cram over 100 hours of work, chores and childcare into one week – over 14.25 hours every day, seven days a week
• Two thirds of British mothers have little or no time to themselves
• 90 per cent of mothers in the UK say that ‘me time’ is important for their emotional wellbeing and to re-charge batteries
• 60 per cent of mothers do not factor ‘me time’ into their daily lives, simply forgetting or running out of time

According to the LG ‘Time for Me’ report, the UK is a nation of super mums, with one in five working mothers cramming over 100 hours of work, chores and childcare into one week. The average mum wishes she had an extra 3.5 hours per day to manage her life better, with 23 per cent stating that they only manage to grab a few minutes of ‘me time’ a week for themselves.

Defining their favourite ‘me time’ activities as time spent on their own, e.g. a hot bath (52 per cent) or reading a book (38 per cent); 90per cent of mothers say that ‘me time’ is important for their emotional wellbeing or simply to re-charge their batteries, yet two thirds have little or no time to themselves.

Despite recognising the importance of having ‘time for me’, over 60 per cent of mothers do not factor ‘me time’ into their daily lives. 50 per cent forget to do so and 42 per cent are simply too busy to devote time to themselves. Furthermore, the results showed that older mothers are generally more efficient at organising ‘me time’ with 52 per cent of the over 50s deliberately factoring it in. Worryingly, 46 per cent of mothers across the UK feel guilty if they have any time to themselves.

To make sure that you don't hyper ventilate on Christmas Eve, here's a few tips from LG to help you get ahead and glide into Christmas like a swan on a lake...

It happens every year, but somehow it still catches you by surprise just how much extra work there is in the run up to Christmas. OK, some of it is enjoyable – such as decorating the tree – but don’t get too stressed by leaving everything to the last minute. Make a list of the things to be done and try to tick off at least one job each day. If you need to send parcels or letters abroad, it pays to send them earlier.

Not only is it cheaper to send them by sea, but as soon as December is here, the queues in the post office are horrendous. So try to buy your Christmas cards and stamps early and start writing. For further information on last dates for posting see www.royalmail.com/christmasposting

Ask for gift ideas from your nearest and dearest and don’t put off your shopping. Generally, if you buy early, there may be better deals/offers, and when you get them home, wrap them immediately. By doing this, you will not have to dedicate a whole day nearer to the 25th for present wrapping.

If you want to make your Christmas cake, do so early in December to allow the cake to mature – maybe even combine this with a baking day of other Christmas goodies that can be frozen.

Check what food you have in your cupboards, make a list and stock up on non-perishable items and drinks. This also helps to spread your costs. And you know how annoying it is to run around the supermarket at the last minute and there isn’t the choice you want? Why not order your groceries online? If you haven’t before, just give your shopping list to your computer-savvy child; he or she will enter it in no time at all.

Then all you have to do is pay by credit card and wait for it to be delivered. Just remember that the popular delivery dates nearest to Christmas Day get booked up quick. So keep an eye out for when the food delivery date you want is released, this generally happens a few weeks before. Shopping online not only saves you time, but you’re also not as tempted to over spend.

Happy Healthy Christmas!