STRESS PEAK FOUR: JUGGLING THE TO-DO LIST

It’s not just those who work who get stressed. In fact, when researchers at Penn State University compared levels of the stress hormone cortisol in people who were out at work and those who stayed at home, they were amazed to discover that both men and women were less stressed at work than at home, and women said they were happier at work. So why is that the case when everyone complains about workplace stress? The answer probably lies in the fact that at work you have one role, whereas at home women are juggling many different demands, often with very little recognition. ◆ CREATE A SCHEDULE FOR YOUR DAY AND YOUR WEEK if you feel there’s not enough hours in the day. It will help you regain a sense of control, plan what you need to do and get a proper sense of whether what you are attempting is realistic. ◆ FIND A BALANCE. Alongside the ‘must-dos’, schedule in time for people and activities that are important to you. ◆ STOCK UP ON HEALTHY SNACKS IN PREPARATION FOR THE FOUR O’CLOCK CRASH. Stress makes many of us want to eat more. When US researchers tracked adults’ hunger and stress levels over a week they found that the peak time was 4pm, Monday to Friday. ◆ PLAN TIME WITH FRIENDS AND TIME FOR YOU AT THE WEEKENDS. The researchers found that everyone seems to be less stressed at weekends – probably because the demands are different, everything goes at a slower pace and no one expects much from you.

Researchers found the peak time for HUNGER and STRESS levels was 4PM, MONDAY to FRIDAY.