Spafinder Wellness 365 Survey: Moms More Stressed Than a Generation Ago – But Do Dads Understand?

• 

This report makes it clear that moms throughout North America are looking for some healthy time off from one of the world’s most demanding jobs.

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 29, 2014

A new Spafinder Wellness 365® survey finds that 87% of mothers today claim that they’re more stressed out than their moms were, with a commanding 57% reporting “significantly more.” But dads may not understand moms’ stress levels: only half the number of fathers who were surveyed (26%) report that the moms they know are “significantly” more stressed than a generation ago.

Notably, health issues are the #1 worry for 70% of the mothers who responded to the survey, and despite a recovering economy, two in three stress over making ends meet (65%). Interestingly, taking care of children is only experienced as a “stressor” for less than a third of moms (32%).

Top Mother’s Day Fantasy: When asked what their #1 personal wellness fantasy would be, the largest percentage of mothers dream of a visit to a healthy destination or resort (40%), followed by weekly massages (36%) and weekly sessions with a private fitness trainer (16%).

No Free Time: 27% of moms also report they have essentially “no” free time each day, with another 37% reporting they have just one hour. So, two-thirds of moms have an hour or less of “me” time daily.

Vast Majority Are Stressed: And 91% of moms surveyed report they’re either “frequently” (39%) or “occasionally” stressed out (52%). Interestingly, twice as many fathers (18%) as mothers (9%) report they’re “rarely” or “never” stressed.

“We conduct ongoing consumer surveys to gauge the state of people’s health and wellness and better understand what they need most to feel good and live well all year round,” said Spafinder Wellness 365 Chief Brand Officer Mia Kyricos. “This report makes it clear that moms throughout North America are looking for some healthy time off from one of the world’s most demanding jobs.”

The online survey was conducted in April 2014, and generated 1,197 respondents.

ADDIONAL KEY FINDINGS:

Top Ways Moms De-Stress: Mothers also identified their favorite ways to de-stress: 1) have massage/go to spa 2) exercise 3) watch TV/movies/play videogames 4) read 5) do “nothing.” While mothers are likely to take action to alleviate stress, fathers are more likely to take the “couch potato” approach: their top way to de-stress is to watch TV/movies/play video games.

Fitness Increasingly a Family Affair: 86% of moms report that families are now more likely to make fitness a family activity than they were a generation ago: 37% say “significantly” more likely, 49% “somewhat.” A significantly smaller percentage of dads agreed (62%), suggesting that moms may be more in charge of family fitness as a group exercise.

Health Routines Are Mainstream for Moms: The majority of mothers also pursue a strikingly wide range of fitness and healthy living options.
1)    46% of respondents maintain a healthy diet, while 46% do sometimes
2)    26% go to the gym on a regular basis, 43% do sometimes
3)    16% of responders attend fitness classes regularly, 41% do sometimes
4)    12% of moms do meditation regularly and 41% do it occasionally, while 34% would like to try it.
5)    11% do yoga regularly but 38% of moms do it sometimes; 29% have never tried, but want to.
6)    And finally 4% of moms do Pilates regularly, 27% do it occasionally and a surprising 41% would like to try it but haven’t.

Mother’s Day Wish-List: When moms were asked what gifts they most wanted this Mother’s Day, not surprisingly, their stressed-out, time-crunched lives seemed to dictate their answers. An overwhelming majority (95%) reports that they would prefer an “experience” (i.e., a spa treatment, meal out with the family, small vacation) to a “thing” (i.e., jewelry, an electronic gadget, etc.).

Majority Won’t Be with Mom This Year: 85% of survey-takers reported they would be giving Mother’s Day gifts this year. But the majority (53%) won’t physically be able to be with their mom– meaning North Americans will be doing a lot of long-distance gifting in 2014.

About Spafinder Wellness, Inc.: Spafinder Wellness, Inc.® is the world’s largest media and marketing company for the spa and wellness industry and the leading consumer resource for feeling good and living well all year round. With over 25 years of experience as a spa and wellness authority, millions of people find inspiration to keep well every day via the Spafinder Wellness 365™ brand, also known for its widely distributed gift cards—available at 70,000-plus retailers worldwide—and its global network of 20,000-plus spas, salons, fitness, yoga and Pilates studios and travel destinations. Learn more at spafinder.com, spafinder.co.uk and spafinder.ca.

PDF Print