Time for a walk, cycle or just curling up with a book eludes most Otago women.
A recent independent survey of 500 women nationwide showed Otago women had less ''me time'' than others nationwide. Only 35% were happy with how much time they had to themselves compared with 45% nationally.
''A quarter of Otago women have less than 30 minutes a day to themselves,'' the survey said.
The statistics got the females of the Otago Daily Times office thinking. When we approached members of the public, we received a similar reaction.
Work, children and house and even volunteering rated above taking time out.
The survey by Bailey's New Zealand showed 80% of those Otago women surveyed felt more productive and clear-headed when they had enough time to themselves.
About 80% of Otago women preferred to spend their ''me time'' in active pursuits, way more than the 56% nationwide, and also like to have that time in the evening.
However, only 28% booked time for themselves and three-quarters believed their ideal ''me time'' was more than an hour a day. For 25%, it was more than two hours.
Unlike nationally, 50% of Otago women were supported in having ''me time'' by the people they lived with.
The results showed Otago women were most likely to need a babysitter, 20% compared with 9.4%, if they were to make more time for themselves, while 20% said they needed to simplify their life, 16% get a new job and 12% needed more support from their partner.
