NEWS COPY
Millions of Brits are ‘too tired’ to attend social events, cook dinner – or go to work.
A study of 2,000 adults found exercise and tidying are among the activities most likely to be avoided due to feeling fatigued.
Half also admitted to ordering a takeaway instead of cooking because they were drained from their day, while almost a quarter have slept in make-up as they were too tired to remove it before bed.
And three in 10 have even cancelled a date or social event.
Other activities adults avoid due to tiredness including washing their hair, going to the pub and driving.
It also emerged that people rely on sugary snacks, coffee and naps to give themselves a much-needed burst.
A quarter have tried to wake up by taking a shower, an eighth have listened to loud music and three in 10 have gone for a walk outdoors.
Julia Cameron-Wallace, from Spatone, which commissioned the research, said: “Tiredness is clearly taking its toll on adults and as a result we’re missing out on activities, social events and healthy lifestyles.
“Turning to sugar is a short-term solution and will only last a few hours before you start feeling tired again later in the day.
“This time of year, when the January blues have kicked in and the days are dark, is when we realise that we need to keep ourselves alert.
“We want to encourage Brits to release their body’s natural energy while keeping healthy and at their best throughout the day.
“Iron is an important mineral which helps support energy and reduces fatigue.”
The study also found the average Brit moans about being tired three times a day and feels their energy levels are at their lowest at 2.43pm, when the afternoon slump kicks in.
In comparison, the highest energy levels are felt at 10.28am.
Additionally, Saturdays are day of the week Brits feel most awake, in contrast to Mondays, which are unsurprisingly the biggest struggle.
During the week, the average adult has three power naps and feels they have ‘no energy at all’ four times out of the seven days.
It also emerged tiredness has led to two in five eating junk food, 31 per cent arguing with their partner, and a quarter in tears.
Similarly, an eighth have fallen asleep at work and four in 10 have been told they look ‘grumpy’.
Fatigue has resulted in three in 10 Brits feeling forgetful and emotional, while a quarter find it leads to anxiousness.
Though 64 per cent of people are aware of the effect of iron intake on energy levels, worryingly, three quarters feel they don’t get enough of the mineral in their diet.
But while a quarter of Brits put exhaustion down to their working hours, stress levels and rainy or dark weather, a fifth have been so worried about how tired they feel that they have visited a doctor or a health professional.
More than half said being tired affects their whole mood and a third wish there were more natural solutions to gain energy.
Of those polled, via OnePoll, 41 per cent have been told they look tired in the past year, with the majority of comments coming from a partner, and a third have been told so by their friends.
TOP 30 THINGS BRITS ARE TOO TIRED TO DO:
1. Exercising in general
2. Tidying a room in the house
3. Having sex
4. Putting clothes away in the wardrobe
5. Cooking dinner
6. Going for a walk
7. Going to social events in general
8. Doing the washing up
9. Going to the gym
10. Going to a friend’s house
11. Going food shopping
12. Going for a run
13. Going to the pub
14. Going out for a meal
15. Washing their hair
16. Reading a book
17. Showering
18. Answering the phone
19. Going to the cinema
20. Driving
21. Brushing their teeth
22. Emptying the dishwasher
23. Removing their make up
24. Prepping packed lunches
25. Applying their make up
26. Talking to their partner
27. Straightening their hair
28. Going to work
29. Hosting dinner
30. Going on a date
ENDS
