SURPRISING Whose day is really more stressful? SAHM vs career woman?

Two sisters went head to head in a 24 hour stress test to see who really has the toughest gig.

Mieka Smiles, 34, and her sister, Marielle Wain, 29, both used tracking devices to measure their stress and physicality levels over a one day period reports Daily Mail.

Mieka is a mum of two, aged four and two, while Marielle is a store manager in a busy sofa shop.

The pair used two devices to log their days, one was a Pip, which measures your stress levels by monitoring sweat gland activity between your thumb and forefinger, and the Microsoft Band 2 measures your physical activity output.

Although the results of the stress test would vary dependant on the individuals response to stress, the sisters discovered that stay-at-home mum Mieka’s stress was higher.

According to The Pip results, Mieka was more ‘stressed’ than Marielle. She was in the red zone for 36 per cent of her time on the device as opposed to Marielle who scored 29 per cent.

However, Mieka spent more time ‘relaxed’ than Marielle – The Pip saying she spent 37 per cent of her time on the device in that state. Marielle was relaxed only 30 per cent of the time.

Finally, Marielle was significantly more ‘steady’ emotionally, spending 41 per cent of her time that way. Mieka’s steady result was 27 per cent.

The sisters had very similar results in terms of physical activity, according to the Microsoft Band 2 – Mieka clocking up 7920 steps and Marielle taking 7954.

Marielle’s heart rate was lower – an average of 72 beats per minute compared to Mieka’s 83. But this can vary depending on fitness and not just on exertion.

Mieka slept longer and had seven hours and 51 minutes sleep – but woke up seven times.

Meanwhile, Marielle had six hours and 56 minutes, waking up four times.

Are you surprised?

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13 Comments

- - Threelos said
  - 14 Apr 2016
    9:06 pm
I’m definitely more relaxed and rested at work than when I’m kid wrangling!

- - mom94125 said
  - 01 Mar 2016
    4:45 pm
haha that is pretty cool but they should swap lives for the day and see how stressful it will be then lol

- - mom103920 said
  - 25 Feb 2016
    9:42 am
It’d be interesting to see the results over a period of time, including extremes like teething, obnoxious difficult clients, illness, dealing with kids jumping on the furniture at home, dealing with kids jumping on the furniture in the store, etc. Great article to spark discussion, but a lot of variations between individuals and “normal” routines. Glad the sisters had fun with their experiment.

- - mum4107 said
  - 25 Feb 2016
    5:44 am
The results don’t suprise me but in saying that, if they were done on different days. The results could be different

- - curlytops said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    10:02 pm
an interesting study. it would be good to do it yourself!

- - Naomi said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    9:09 pm
I’m kind of relieved because being at home really drains me sometimes! But it’s hard to explain why. Either way life is busy

- - mom93821 said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    7:25 pm
A large sample across the spectrum would be needed for comprehensive results, with so many factors, including children, stressors and other variables included. Also, individuals handle stress differently. Everyone has their own load to carry regardless of in home/out of home.

- - BellaB said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    7:23 pm
No, I’m not particularly surprised.

- - rachelvk said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    2:42 pm
It’s difficult to compare as they each have their own pressures and levels of stress. It was an interesting article nonetheless.

- - mom165081 said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    2:22 pm
I am not surprised at all – I would LOVE to get back to work!!

- - Mummytoabeautifulprincess said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    1:30 pm
Not super surprising but different jobs/people would produce different stress levels. I don’t think there really is a way to properly measure this. Can’t we just accept that life in general is stressful. Everyone is doing their best to get through!

- - Nas01 said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    1:14 pm
Not surprised, I have this conversation with hubby everyday. My stress being at home with 4 kids and looking after home/cooking/cleaning school drop offs ant the rest is hell of a lot more stressful then his work (although he manages 10 offices so I think he just agrees so he doesn’t have to deal with my stress).

- - mom160421 said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    1:11 pm
These results really don’t mean anything. Firstly, we should stop comparing women with each other – it’s so destructive. Secondly, results would vary even between a group of SAHM and a group of working mothers as we are all different physically, emotionally and mentally, and home/work conditions are all different.