Having a healthy work-life balance is important, yet a net survey reveals that only 40% of Americans achieve it. Groupon said it surveyed 2,000 Americans on their levels of stress and what they would do to relax if given the chance.

What it found was that 60% of Americans are, “…trapped in an unhealthy work-life balance and don’t have enough time in the day to relax.”

Americans take, in average, 11 vacation days per year – but most of these days are taken for things other than rest and relaxation.

According to Groupon, 41% of Americans surveyed say it’s been six months or longer since they’ve felt completely relaxed and stress free.

“Over a quarter of American workers reported enduring constant pressure from their boss and roughly 1 in 7 also suffered pressure from their co-workers,” Groupon reports. Forty-one percent of the survey respondents say it’s been six months or longer since they’ve felt completely relaxed and stress free.

Many Americans Feel Constant Pressure at Work

Over a quarter of American workers reported enduring constant pressure from their boss and roughly 1 in 7 also suffered pressure from their co-workers.

The survey showed that about 1:30 p.m. is the most stressful time of the day, and the average worker doesn’t begin to relax until 4:30 p.m.

When it comes to unwinding, getting a massage, manicure or pedicure, going to the beach, hitting the gym as well as playing video games are some of the things respondents would do if they had a full day off. According to survey respondents, the ideal massage lasts about 48 minutes.

So how would we relax, if we could find the time?

When women are asked how they would relax if they had a full day to spend alone, their top three answers are:

  • Get a spa or beauty treatment
  • Spend a day at the beach
  • Go to the gym

Men would relax by:

  • Spend a day at the beach
  • Get a spa or beauty treatment
  • Play video games

Of course, having a healthy work-life balance isn’t just about taking a little time off here and there. The key word is “balance” – which implies a holistic approach to work and living.

This is difficult to achieve in the high-stress society we’ve built.