Wired, Working Americans Drained, Losing Spark
MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., April 24 /PRNewswire/ — After a long day at the office, do you reach for your cell phone or your gym bag? A new national survey, conducted by StrategyOne for the makers of LISTERINE(R) Antiseptic, shows that Americans are busier than ever before, often at the expense of their personal health. More than half of people surveyed (55 percent) said they don't feel like they have the free time in the evenings that they had five years ago, and 80 percent agree that Americans are working longer days than ever before.
When Americans are busy at night, caring for personal health is often not top of mind. On average, working adults spend twice as much time in the evening watching television than working out or keeping fit (8 vs. 4 hours per week), and admit to clocking an average of six extra hours of work time a week above and beyond the standard 40 hour work week, either working at home or staying late at work. Not surprisingly, simple health routines, like oral care, are the most neglected nighttime routines when working adults feel their time is crunched.
"The explosion of technology advancements over the last five years created opportunities and disruptions for Americans' lifestyles," says Dr. James Canton*, noted trends expert and CEO, Institute for Global Futures. "Innovations such as wireless technology and the growing use of social media bring Americans together personally and professionally 24/7."
In fact, the survey revealed that 63 percent of Americans are using more technology in their lives than 5 or 10 years ago, such as using the Internet, watching recorded TV and gaming.
"New technology is designed with freedom and efficiency in mind yet ironically has many Americans multitasking more than ever before at night. As a result, people are more wired and tired — often unintentionally at the cost of their health," says Dr. Canton. 
To help men and women make the most of their time, leading fitness expert Denise Austin** teamed up with the makers of LISTERINE(R) to develop simple wellness tips especially for night.
"Taking care of your health and wellbeing at night doesn't have to take a lot of time. It can easily be incorporated in your nightly rituals with ingenuity, creativity and a small amount of time," says Denise Austin. "There are simple things you can do for your wellbeing at night that can help you restore and replenish for the next day and make a big difference in your overall health."
Our kids learn by watching us. Don't believe it? A study of Minnesota and Iowa children finds that less than 20% met daily guidelines for taking a minimum number of steps and limiting screen time. 
