Top 50 everyday stresses listed – from being stuck in traffic to waking up late
The most stressful time of day is 7.23 am – with the first drama typically happening by 8.18 am, research has found.
Among the list were spilling something down clothing, burning food, and tripping over in public.
Other annoyances guaranteed to make people huff and puff were being locked out of their home, the car engine not starting, and realising an email they thought had been sent was sitting in “drafts”.
The research was commissioned by RESCUE Remedy and found tiredness (46 per cent), an interrupted night’s sleep (36 per cent), and a busy day at work (33 per cent) were among the top causes for such dramas.
Zuzana Bustikova, for the wellbeing brand, said: “Often when we think ‘drama’ we think big, but the research shows how much of an impact seemingly small niggles can have on our daily moods.
“We know that a poor night’s sleep can offset the whole day, and challenging days can often result in sleepless nights, so it’s no wonder that mornings are when the first drama is experienced.”
The study also found while 35 per cent agreed little dramas are just part of life, a further 24 per cent find it difficult to relax when they’re experiencing such woes.
As many as four in 10 (41 per cent) have been kept awake at night – or woken up – due to everyday annoyances, including 50 per cent of women in comparison to 32 per cent of men.
Dramas also lead to people feeling frustrated (32 per cent), anxious (23 per cent), and tired (21 per cent).
Similarly, 24 per cent admitted overthinking everyday issues impacts their sleep and 22 per cent find it emotionally draining.
Adults typically have five things on their mind at one time and 16 per cent believe they experience more drama than others.
A quarter of those polled via OnePoll (24 per cent) admitted drama–inducing situations are typically caused by themselves, such as waking up late, while 15 per cent blame others.
If a drama is experienced with someone else involved it’s most likely to happen face to face (41 per cent), rather than over a phone call (23 per cent) or social media (22 per cent).
When in a bad mood, 32 per cent turn to their partner for support while 24 per cent of women confide in their female friends and 18 per cent of men look to male peers for advice.
But 41 per cent of those polled have felt unsupported by a loved one when experiencing a drama – 47 per cent of women and 36 per cent of men.
Vice versa, 42 per cent have supported others if they’re down by simply listening, while 32 per cent have been a shoulder to cry on and 19 per cent have ranted along with them.
The top things that have improved moods after experiencing a little drama are a walk (30 per cent), listening to music (28 per cent) and alone time (26 per cent).
Zuzana Bustikova added: “More than ever, it’s important to understand what our body and mind are telling us and, whilst it’s not always easy, setting good habits like eating well, establishing a – somewhat – relaxing bedtime routine and making time to look after ourselves is crucial.
“Taking small steps to build our emotional resilience, even on those difficult days, can make a huge difference in helping us live life to the fullest.”
Top 50 every day “dramas” Brits experience:
Stuck in traffic
Spilling something down clothing e.g. food, drink, make-up, toothpaste etc
Dropping and smashing something accidentally e.g. a glass, a bowl
Waking up late
Spilling something on the carpet
Burning food
A pan of boiling water bubbling over onto the hob
Tripping over in public
Struggling to find a parking space
Being late for work
Forgetting carrier bags at the supermarket
Being pooed on by a bird
Spilling something on the sofa
Being locked out
Car engine not starting
Being late or missing public transport e.g. bus, train
Public transport being cancelled
Sending a text/message to the wrong person
Deciding what to have for dinner
Forgetting an umbrella in the rain
Deciding what to wear
Checking my bank balance and having less money than I expected
Forgetting someone else’s birthday
Mess caused by a child or pet
Clothes you want to wear being in the wash
Leaving my wallet/purse at home
Forgetting the trolley coin at the supermarket
Getting a parking ticket
Having a backlog of emails
A friend owing money and not paying it back
Losing keys (car or house keys)
Experiencing road rage
Forgetting ingredients for a meal
Ripping tights
Leaving it too long to return an item to a shop e.g. for a refund
Lightbulb going and not having any spears
Realising an email you thought you’d sent is in your ‘drafts’
Forgetting important life admin e.g. MOT, insurance renewal, meter readings etc
Not knowing how to reply to a message e.g. text, dating app, social media
Trying to organise social plans
Spilling a drink on technology e.g. laptop, phone etc
Accidentally ‘liking’ someone’s post on social media from years ago
Being late due to having to de-ice the car
Having lots of text/WhatsApp messages to reply to
Playing something on your phone out loud in public e.g. a video, voice note etc
Choking in public e.g. on a drink
Getting a puncture while cycling
Forgetting about a meeting and simply not turning up
Late to pick my child up / drop them off e.g. at school, a party, activity club etc
Hair dryer or straighteners breaking
