Stressed adults spend about 18 months of their lives worrying, a new study has revealed. An average adult will spend about 36 minutes a day worrying.

The survey of 2,000 people by the Everyman Male Cancer Group found that the biggest causes for worry were cost of living, being stuck in a rut or being out of shape. Other causes of worry included job security, getting old and a boring sex life, the Daily Mail reports.

How stressed are you? Take our stress test to find out.

If you are feeling worried or anxious and would like to talk to someone in total confidence, call our Support Line on 0808 802 03 04. These factsheets may also help:

• What is anxiety?
• Treatments for anxiety
• Relaxation techniques

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and we will be helping raising awareness of mental health issues every day this week, with factsheets, information, support, advice and more.

The theme of this year’s week is sleep after a report by the Mental Health Foundation found that over 30 per cent of the population currently suffers from insomnia or another sleep disorder. The report identified that sleep disorders put sufferers at significantly greater risk of health problems ranging from depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder to immune deficiency and heart disease.

The Sleep Matters report revealed that lack of sleep significant impact on your mood, energy levels, personal relationships and ability to concentrate, with sufferers being four times more likely to have relationship problems and three times more likely to experience low mood.

To find out how you can get a good night’s sleep, try these factsheets:

• Problem sleeping
• How to sleep well

For more information on the Mental Health Foundation, click here.

A study of over 2,500 Americans has revealed the influence of the 5-HTT gene, dubbed the ‘Happiness Gene’, on personal wellbeing.

The gene is associated with the release of serotonin in the brain. Research has suggested that due to increased efficiency in distribution, people born with two long versions of the gene are more likely to feel ‘happy’ than those with two short versions.

Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, a researcher at the London School of Economics and Political Science told The Guardian: “This gives us more insight into the biological mechanisms that influence life satisfaction,”

“If you’re feeling down, your neurological circuitry could be partially responsible. By that I don’t mean to say that one can hold biology responsible for depression, but a better understanding of one’s unique genetic make-up combined with willpower could help in surmounting a psychological dip.”

The participants of the study were asked how satisfied they were with life as a whole and responded on a five-point scale from ‘very satisfied’ to ‘very dissatisfied’.

The results indicated that, everything else being equal, having one long version of the gene increased the number of ‘very satisfied’ people by around 8.5 per cent and having two long versions increased the number by 17.3 per cent.

De Neve stressed that although the gene could indicate why some people seem naturally more satisfied than others, it did not provide any fail-safe formula. He emphasised that two short versions of the gene did not condemn a person to misery any more than two long versions would make someone immune to depression.

De Neve said: “This gene has an important influence, but you cannot say it causes happiness. Happiness is hugely complex and your experiences throughout the course of your life will remain the dominant force on that.”

Researchers are contemplating how a greater understanding of genes such at 5-HTT might enable would-be parents to create a child genetically inclined towards contentment.

Ed Diener, a psychologist at the University of Illinois said: “We are just beginning to understand the actual genetics of happiness, and how genes might influence brain hormones and other physiology that influence our wellbeing.

“This exciting work offers insights that one day may help us counter disorders such as depression. Parents one day might have the choice of whether to choose genes that will create a child who is more satisfied with his or her life.”

If you’re worried about mental health and need to talk to someone in confidence then call our Support Line on: 0808 802 03 04 (post-16 education).

You might also find the following factsheets useful:

• Spotting the signs of a mental health problem
  
• Signpost: Mental Health
  
• What is depression?

by Natalie Carthy

Unhealthy lifestyles in the workplace are being fuelled by bosses ‘guilt tripping’ their employees over taking lunch breaks and exercising, a new survey has revealed.

It has been discovered that one in three employees regularly skip meals whilst at work and one in five feel guilty taking time out to exercise, visit a GP or get medical treatment, Central YMCA has reported. The ‘no lunch break’ culture is said to be damaging for employees in all professions and can have a serious effect on health, mood and motivation in the workplace, the London Evening Standard reports.

The survey, which questioned over 1,000 employees from around the country, is said to have highlighted the seriousness of the issue with staff from numerous professions, many of whom are working alongside YMCA to promote ‘fit’ professional environments up and down the UK. The ‘workplace activator’ programme asks colleagues to act as ‘buddies’ for one another to inspire and encourage a healthy work-life balance.

Dame Carol Black, the Government’s National Director for Health and Work, has backed the YMCA report. “If we are to succeed in improving the health of the working age population, everyone who has a vested interest in this area has to work together to provide solutions to the many, varied barriers people face in returning to or getting into work,” she said.

Working through breaks and lunchtimes seems to be a common issue in schools, colleges and universities.

“I am a nursery teacher and Foundation Phase leader in a primary school. I work through lunchtimes and most evenings. I have no work-life balance and I am irritable with my family,” said one respondent in our recent poll on how workload affects health and wellbeing. “I arise at 4:30 am, start work at 4:45am until 7:00am. Arrive at work 8am, rarely leave before 6:15pm, often without a proper break during the day,” said another.

To find out more information on how you can improve your work-life balance, try these factsheets:

• Work-life Balance – what is it and how do I achieve it?
  
• Assertiveness: your right to say no
• How working extra hours can impact you