A stress free day starts with time in loo

It has long been suggested that your bathroom is the one room in the house that can act as a haven away from the stresses of daily life.

To mark the start of their Chill It! campaign, Manchester-based charity Hope, who work with people and families who are effected by depression, have published extensive research which suggests that you don’t need to lock yourself in the bathroom for hours surrounded by champagne, candles and Chopin to feel the benefits of the bathroom.

The research, which was undertaken by students at the Eastbridge hospital in Manchester and Newmoor hospital in Bristol, suggests that people who spend at least ten minutes sat on the toilet reading a book or doodling, are less likely to go on to suffer from stress-related symptoms than people who use the bathroom only for its intended purpose.

Over 200 people across Manchester and Bristol took part in the experiment. They were hooked up to blood pressure and stress monitors for seven days.

Half were then asked to spend at least ten minutes sat on the toilet reading. Those who spent the full ten minutes or more sat reading, had at least an 8% overall lower blood pressure reading than those who had spent less time in the bathroom.

Those who spent over 20minutes reading on the toilet had an overall decrease of blood pressure reading of 14%

The research also suggests that people who spend longer than normal sat on the toilet are often the most creative. Further surveys carried out across the UK found that other than reading people have start writing novels, come up with baby names and inspirations for new inventions.

Dr Allbright, Head of Psychology at Eastbridge hospital who over saw the research said: “Although it may seem like a ridiculous experiment to undertake, the findings are significant and do have a serious side, in a fast pace society, if something as simple as reading while on the toilet can decrease the symptoms of stress then this shows that small lifestyle changes really can be helpful to those prone to stress and anxiety.”

Fourteen million people in the UK currently suffer from stress or related illnesses. It is thought that stress is a trigger for over 15% of strokes that occur every year. Stress is also a major cause of depression and anxiety with over 30% of people diagnosed with depression having suffered stress induced panic attacks prior to being diagnosed.

Lisa Smale, Communications Manager for Hope said: “Stress, particularly in the current economic climate is a very real fact. People are increasingly worrying about their job security and this obviously has a knock on effect on health. At Hope we have always believed in promoting serious issues in a way people can relate too. These findings prove that a small thing we all do really can help us lower our stress levels.”

Hope’s public information campaign Chill It! will run throughout April. Working in conjunction with depression centres around the UK Hope will be promoting the campaign nationwide over the bank holiday weekend where a collection of especially commissioned ‘Chill It Pods’ will be erected in some of the UK`s busiest shopping centres and airports.

Members of the public will be welcomed by human stress balls into a completely stress free environment. Information material produced by Hope will be available as well as bookable appointments with medical professionals who will be there to give help and advice on the signs and symptoms of stress.

Further details on stress-related illnesses are available on the Hope website. A special edition of the Hope Network Newsletter, giving information on stress and what the charity are currently campaigning for, is available from health centres and surgeries across the UK, as well as a downloadable version from the website.

www.hopeishere.co.uk
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