Women need more “me time” than men, a study claims, with ladies requiring two hours and 15 minutes each day to recharge.
Some 41% of women surveyed admitted they have a strong desire to spend time alone every day, compared with 32% of men. However, 83% confessed they struggle to carve out enough time for themselves.
Mental load and invisible labour
Dr Charlotte Armitage, who was involved in the study, said: “Research highlights that many women live with a constant sense of psychological demand.
“Alongside visible tasks like cooking, cleaning and helping with homework, they often carry the invisible labour of remembering appointments, planning meals, organising children’s lives, managing family emotions and being the person others turn to for support.
“That mental load can be exhausting because the brain is rarely given permission to fully switch off. Women often feel as though their mind is running a background programme all day. Even when they are resting, they may still be thinking about what needs doing next or who needs something from them.”
Chores eat into downtime
The research found 55% of women complained that household chores regularly eat into their downtime. Some 43% said cooking dinner limits chances to chill, while 41% cited doing the washing as barriers to spending solo time.
Listening to music topped the list of ways women most enjoy “me time”, followed by an evening in front of the television, napping, reading a book and going for a walk in the park.
Craving uninterrupted time
A spokesperson for Andrew Peace Wines, which commissioned the research, said: “Women today are constantly switched on.
“Whether it’s running a household, managing family schedules, balancing careers or supporting loved ones emotionally, many rarely get a genuine moment to themselves.
“Our research shows women aren’t asking for luxury, they’re simply craving a little uninterrupted time to unwind, rest, reset and recharge without guilt.”
