Overworked Brits get just 5 hours sleep a night

How long did you sleep last night? If it was only around five hours, then you could be part of the growing number of people whose work is stopping them from sleeping.

According to the latest research from Nature’s Bounty many of us are getting just five hours of uninterrupted sleep each night, mainly due to the amount of work we’re doing out of traditional work hours.

Often the day will start at 7.50am with work emails, and end around 5.55pm with just 25 minutes for lunch. Can you relate?

The research has also found that many will work around two-and-a-half hours of unpaid overtime per week, and answer nine work-related emails on their commute home.

A massive 74% of those asked believe their busy lives have had an effect on their health and wellbeing with 38% saying they suffer from stress as a result.

Unfortunately around 15% of those asked felt their workload was ‘too much to cope with’, meanwhile 60% said they could ‘just about manage’.

Speaking about the research findings Paul Chamberlain, Head of Nutrition at www.naturesbounty.co.uk said, "Our lives are becoming far busier than ever before as we juggle longer working hours and more stressful jobs with managing our personal lives as well.

"But this pressure is clearly having an effect on our health as people sleep fewer hours and work far longer than the traditional 9-5."

Paul continued, "Despite the stresses and strains you may face at work, and once you leave office, it’s important to take time for yourself in order to be able to cope with the demands of modern life."

Researchers from OnePoll.com have also found that many people deal with their busy day-to-day lives by trying to prepare healthy snacks to keep them going. Meanwhile a quarter of those asked exercise early in the morning or late at night to allow them to squeeze in their fitness regime.

Here are the top 10 effects on our health due to a busy lifestyle:

1. Feeling tired or low in energy

2. Feeling stressed

3. A lack of sleep

4. A lack of exercise

5. Feeling low or being in a bad mood

6. A poor diet

7. More prone to falling ill

8. A lack of daylight

9. A loss of focus or concentration

10. A lack of fulfilment

The survey of 2000 20 - 40-year-olds was conducted by Nature’s Bounty.

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