How many breaks should we take a day?

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

DO YOU THINK THAT YOU GET ENOUGH BREAKS IN YOUR DAY? WELL, ONE IN EIGHT AMERICANS SAY THEY DON’T GET ANY BREAKS.

ACCORDING TO A NEW SURVEY OF 2,000 ADULTS, THE PERFECT BREAK LASTS ABOUT 17 MINUTES AND IS SPENT LISTENING TO MUSIC (41%) OR ENJOYING A SNACK OR MEAL WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS (36%).

CONDUCTED BY ONEPOLL ON BEHALF OF PACIFIC FOODS, THE SURVEY ALSO FOUND THAT ONE IN EIGHT CONSIDER EVERY DAY TO BE A ‘BUSY DAY.’

AND BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MUCH GOING ON, ONE IN EIGHT ADMIT THAT THEY FORGET TO STOP AND TAKE A BREATHER FOR MOST OF THE WEEK.

OF THOSE WHO WISH THEY COULD TAKE MORE BREAKS, MORE THAN HALF SAY THEY DON’T GET AROUND TO IT BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY FEEL OVERWHELMED (55%).

WHAT DOES “WELLNESS” MEAN TO AMERICANS?

• “Feeling healthy, happy and full of energy”
• “Taking care of yourself to ensure your mind stays acute”
• “Physical and mental stability”
• “Ability to feel good, share yourself with others and be able to participate in regular normal activities without being in pain”
• “Making sure you live a balanced life and take time for yourself and your mental and physical and even spiritual health”
• “Wellness means getting the mind and body in sync”
• “Wellness is a holistic approach in which complete well-being is sought in all aspects of the person”
• “The act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes, so that instead of just surviving, you're thriving”
• “Adequate sleep, no smoking, minimal alcohol intake, exercising  60 minutes at least 3 times a week, eating a healthy diet, and socializing with people”
• “Recharge your body and energize yourself with rest food and water”

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 general population Americans was commissioned by Pacific Foods between Jan. 10 and Jan. 15, 2024. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).