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Money and work worries ruin our sleep
7th Feb 2012

A survey has shown that almost three quarters of Britons struggle to get a good night’s rest, with worries about money and work being the main causes. Results showed that Sunday is the worst day of the week for a bad night’s sleep, as we worry about the week ahead.

The survey, which was commissioned by Premier Inn hotels, found the majority of people say that sleepless nights are caused by things playing on their mind rather than physical disturbances like car alarms and dogs barking reported theDaily Mail.

“Sadly, most of us suffer from sleepless nights at some point in our lives,” said Claire Haigh, Spokeswoman for Premier Inn. “The fact people have stated money and finances as the top reason for a restless night’s sleep is a real reflection of the tough economic climate”.

She continued: “Dwelling on things at night when you are already tired can make things seem a lot worse than they are. It is important to relax and switch off before bed so we get the good night’s sleep we need”.

In a 2011 Recourse and Teacher Support Network survey, one respondent told us: “I have difficulty sleeping worrying about work, which leads to tiredness which then leads to unsatisfactory performance, leading to something else to worry about.”

Another said: “Exhaustion at certain times of the year and stress makes it difficult to sleep and causes me to gain weight.”

“I have constant insomnia as I am unable to ‘turn my mind off’, said another….my job is leaving me exhausted, frustrated and sleepless.”

If you are finding it hard to sleep because of worries about work or money, you can call our Support Line on 0808 802 03 04.

Alternatively, try these links:

Find the full list of reasons for people being kept awake below:

  • Money worries – 37 per cent
  • Work issues – 30 per cent
  • Being too hot – 29 per cent
  • Needing the toilet – 20 per cent
  • Relationship problems – 20 per cent
  • Health problems – 17 per cent
  • Being too cold – 16 per cent
  • Partner snoring – 16 per cent
  • Partner tossing and turning – 15 per cent
  • The wind – 14 per cent

by Lucy Rowe

50 things that make people happy
12th Jan 2012

Finding a ten pound note in the pocket of your jeans, climbing into bed with freshly washed sheets and seeing an elderly couple holding hands are three of the 50 things that make us happiest, a poll from Three Barrels Brandy has revealed.

The study into happiness levels also showed that most people are the happiest on Saturday evenings, whilst Christmas Day has been described as the happiest day of the year, the Daily Express reports.

“We can be having a terrible day at work when a quick thank you from the boss can pick us up and make us feel great. Similarly, we could be stuck in traffic when our favourite song comes on the radio and makes us forget about the nightmare daily commute. Small gestures from friends and family can also work wonders when you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps,” a research Spokesman said.

A study of over 2,500 Americans has revealed that some people may be happier than others due to the influence of the 5-HTT gene, associated with the release of serotonin in the brain, dubbed the ‘Happiness Gene’.  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.”

Read the full list of the 50 things that makes people happy below:

1. Finding a 10-pound note in an old pair of jeans

2. Going on holiday

3. Getting into bed with freshly washed sheets

4. Swimming in the sea

5. Waking up on a sunny day

6. Sitting in the sun

7. Being surprised with flowers or chocolates

8. Getting a nice message from a loved one

9. Cuddles

10. Getting a thank you card in the post

11. Seeing old people holding hands

12. Driving a car with the window down on a sunny day

13. Winning a tenner

14. Booking a holiday

15. Listening to your favourite song

16. Finding a bargain

17. Seeing an old friend

18. Picnic in the park

19. Getting promoted

20. Romantic night out

21. Hearing a song that reminds you of your past

22. Looking back at old photos

23. Making a new friend

24. Getting a quiet moment to yourself

25. Walks in the country

26. Hearing a baby laugh

27. Having a girlie/lads night out

28. Waking up on a Saturday morning and realising it’s the weekend

29. Chocolate

30. Eating cake

31. Fitting into a pair of jeans you thought were too small

32. Praise from your boss

33. Smell of freshly baked bread or cookies

34. Warm bubble bath

35. Someone telling you you have lost weight

36. Finding out someone likes you

37. Sunday dinners

38. Smell of freshly cut grass

39. Landing at the holiday airport

40. Good hair day

41. Bank holidays

42. Passing a driving test

43. Swanky hotel rooms

44. Children doing well at school

45. Someone offering elderly people their seat on the bus or train

46. Someone giving you their car parking ticket at the car park

47. Waking up to find out it has snowed overnight

48. Drinking a cold beer after work

49. Eating comfort food

50. Kissing

What makes you happy? Tell us on Twitter @RecourseCharity or on our Facebook page.

Adults spend 18 months of lives worrying
1st Jun 2011

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:

Mental Health Awareness Week: how do you sleep at night?
25th May 2011

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:


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

Researchers uncover the ‘Happiness Gene’
19th May 2011

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:

by Natalie Carthy