- The findings come from a study among more than 1,300 middle-aged women
Middle-aged women spend less than five hours a week on their own needs, self-care and hobbies, a study shows.
A new poll has revealed that the lifestyle of the ‘sandwich generation’ means the majority of women over 40 have little time for themselves.
Caring for children and aging parents means women are caught up in an “emotional tug-of-war” that leads to “burnout and exhaustion.”
Menopause campaigner Katie Taylor, who runs the online community Latte Lounge for middle-aged women, arranged the survey.
A new poll has found that the lifestyle of the ‘sandwich generation’ means the majority of women over 40 have little time for themselves
Of the 1,309 middle-aged women who responded, 70 percent said they spend less than five hours a week on their own needs, self-care and hobbies – the equivalent of less than an hour a day.
For the same amount, they spend less than three hours per week on social contacts with their friends or partners.
Meanwhile, only 11 percent say they spend more than 10 hours a week on themselves.
Instead, women reported spending their time on the responsibilities of parenthood, caring for older parents, and work.
One woman said: ‘The emotional tug-of-war for some me-time is overwhelming and you feel like you are constantly letting someone you love down.’
Another said: ‘It’s been a squeeze between work, an aging recently widowed parent, two kids under five and everything else. Like many, my own needs must come last.’
Others described their generation as the one that ‘does it all’, while others said it was becoming increasingly difficult to find time for rest, relaxation and joy as they ‘faced the challenges of transitioning to menopause’.
The study was released prior to the Midlife festivala week-long online health and wellness event for women from October 9 to 13.
Ms Taylor, who founded the festival, said: ‘Our data shows that women are putting themselves at the bottom of the household chore list.
‘When you add perimenopause and menopause into the mix, I know from personal experience that many of us can feel burned out and struggle to cope with the many demands placed on us.
‘That’s why it’s crucial that women in the ‘sandwich generation’ spend more time taking care of their own needs so that they can not only be there for their loved ones, but also thrive personally through midlife, menopause and beyond .’