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Report on SmartGirls Kick Back and Relax!
Smart girls decide for themselves™.
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Everyone has stress in their life to some degree. Even a quick glance at the news is likely to cause even the most laid back person to feel some anxiety. That's why it's so important to find time to get away from it all and relax. It looks like a lot of you agree since 693 people took our SmartGirls Kick Back and Relax survey. Of these, there were 677 girls, 6 boys, and 10 others who didn't answer the question about gender. Most fall into the 11-13 year old range but there were many respondents above or below this range. The majority report that they are the oldest child in the family, live in a town, and are of European ancestry. The largest numbers come from the United States or the United Kingdom, but people from countries as far-flung as Belize, France, and South Korea took the survey.
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We all know that it's a good idea to take the occasional break from our hectic lives and chill out, but finding the time to do that isn't always easy. It looks like a lot of you have found a way around that problem, though, judging by the results to the questions below.
During the school year, about how many hours do you spend relaxing every week?
~Zero: 20
~1-2: 65
~3-5: 165
~6-10: 165
~11-15: 88
~16-20: 43
~More than 20: 135
When school is in session, how many hours would you like to spend relaxing every week?
~Zero: 9
~1-2: 133
~3-5: 114
~6-10: 125
~11-15: 113
~16-20: 62
~More than 20: 122
During vacations from school, about how much time do you spend relaxing every week?
~Zero: 7
~1-2: 32
~3-5: 62
~6-10: 101
~11-15: 114
~16-20: 112
~More than 20: 246
When you're on vacation from school, how many hours a week would you prefer to spend relaxing?
~Zero: 6
~1-2: 14
~3-5: 62
~6-10: 89
~11-15: 104
~16-20: 102
~More than 20: 294
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| I make an effort to find time every day for a bit of relaxation. |
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Everyone has their own idea of what makes for a restful break. For example, it's interesting how an activity that one person finds relaxing--say, cooking--can be considered a painful chore by another. Also, I had always thought of relaxation as a solitary activity, but it looks like a lot of you disagree. When we asked, a whopping 232 said you most enjoy relaxing with a group of friends. 218 did answer that they prefer relaxing by themselves, but 153 said they needed the company of one friend. 34 wanted to be with their significant other, 32 like being with a family member, and 24 prefer being in the presence of their entire family when it's time to take it easy.
When you are by yourself, though, your favorite relaxing activity is listening to music (189). However, a large number of you prefer expressing your creativity by using the time to write (116), followed closely by those who prefer reading books or magazines (112). Watching TV or movies comes in fourth (92) while playing games on the computer is a distant fifth (34). 32 people recharge by napping, 26 cleanse themselves of worries by taking a bath, 25 shop their cares away, an admirable 20 exercise, and only 6 rely on meditation. 41 people wrote in other answers like "Being around animals," "Sitting on a bean bag, staring at the ceiling," "Crying," and talking or hanging out with friends.
We also wanted to know how you feel about the idea of spending a day at the spa, the traditional method of relaxation. It looks like spas still have a reputation for being great places to relax since the majority of you either strongly agreed (295) or agreed (129) that it would be the most relaxing activity for you. 107 were neutral, 70 disagreed, and only 38 strongly disagreed.
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| The best place to relax is... |
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Relaxing doesn't necessarily mean a full hour of mediation or yoga. Sometimes quick relaxation techniques work wonders. We wanted to know if there are any quick fix solutions you use when you're in a stressful situation. 47 people wrote in other answers like "Picking at my fingernails," "Praying," or just thinking about something more pleasant, but the most popular answers are listed below:
~Doodle/Draw/Write: 153
~Take deep breaths: 149
~Leave the situation for a few minutes: 108
~Imagine I'm somewhere else/Daydream: 93
~Smile: 56
~Count to 10 slowly: 24
~Listen to or play music: 16
~Yell/Cry: 13
~Yoga: 4
~Nap: 3
We got mixed results when we asked about the benefits of relaxing. 190 people strongly agreed and 178 agreed with the statement that relaxation is always beneficial, but an overwhelming number (226) were neutral. 38 others disagreed and only 9 strongly disagreed.
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| Finding some time to relax helps me to cope better with the stress in my life. |
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Aromatherapy (using selected scents to affect mood or health) has gained a lot of popularity in the past few decades, but few of you use it. Only 18 answered that they always use aromatherapy, 48 often do, and 232 sometimes do. However, 349 of you never use it.
When we asked which type of aromatherapy scent you find the most relaxing, 187 said a floral fragrance, 103 enjoy the smell of fruit, 62 prefer natural aromas, and 27 crave herbal herb scents. 314 of you don't use aromatherapy.
*If you recognized this Simpsons reference, you rock!
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Now that we know more about your habits and preferences, it's time to find out just how relaxed you consider yourself and learn about your idea of relaxation.
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| On a scale of one (least) to five (most), how relaxed would you rate yourself? |
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So most of you consider yourself pretty relaxed, and it seems like the people around you agree since only 60 strongly agreed with the statement "Other people tell me I need to learn how to relax." 99 agreed, 111 were neutral, 176 disagreed, and 204 strongly disagreed.
Which of the following best fits with your idea of relaxation?
~Taking time for myself: 252
~Calming down: 215
~Finding inner peace: 96
~Not doing anything I have to do: 67
~My muscles being relaxed: 27
~Other: 36
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| How would you describe someone who is relaxed? |
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count | percent |
relaxed1
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| in_control |
364 | 20.35 |
| wastes_time |
60 | 3.35 |
| flexible |
280 | 15.65 |
| content |
323 | 18.05 |
| unhappy |
11 | 0.61 |
| calm |
494 | 27.61 |
| angers_easy |
10 | 0.56 |
| nothing_2do |
127 | 7.1 |
| 2_busy |
15 | 0.84 |
| frazzled |
12 | 0.67 |
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| How would you describe someone who is not relaxed? |
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count | percent |
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not_relax1
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| in_control |
56 | 2.36 |
| wastes_time |
166 | 7 |
| flexible |
16 | 0.68 |
| content |
22 | 0.93 |
| unhappy |
502 | 21.18 |
| calm |
7 | 0.3 |
| angers_easy |
539 | 22.74 |
| nothing_2do |
83 | 3.5 |
| 2_busy |
517 | 21.81 |
| frazzled |
451 | 19.03 |
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Imagine that you are very stressed out, very busy and have many tasks to complete. Will taking a break to relax be beneficial to you and help you finish your work on time? Or will it cause you to finish your work late? 291 answered that it would help them finish their work on time, but 383 said it would have the opposite effect.
Imagine that one time in your life when you were so relaxed, nothing else seemed too important. Where were you? Who were you with? What were you doing? Describe it for us!
Some want the company of friends or romantic partners while others prefer solitude, but vacations, beaches, and enjoying nature (especially warm weather and sunbathing) were common themes in your answers to this question. It's funny, but just reading about some of your real or imaginary relaxing experiences made me feel a bit more mellow. Read on and see if they have the same effect on you!
~"It was me, my dogs, and Finding Nemo. I had a whole bunch of food around me and just ate and watched the television. I didn't do much, and it made me feel really good!"
~"In the forest with the sweet humming of the birds with my mum."
~"With my friends--6 girls & 2 guys. We're a crazy bunch of kids. We're at the boardwalk, going into the funhouse and dancing on the beach, close to the bar where the music's playing. We're just laughing and dancing and joking aroundit's just a good time."
~"The only time I have been truly relaxed was about a year ago. I was sitting outside one night. I was there by myself, and all I was doing was lying in the grass looking at the night sky."
~"I was camping with my family like I always do during the summer and one night I decided to go on a night time trip. So I went for a hike in the woods and found this beautiful place where I could see nothing but nature [I was in the mountains] and it was so peaceful, it was so quiet, all I could hear was nature. I felt like I was in peace with mother nature and for 15 minutes I was in Peace, nothing bothering, no worries, nothing. But then I check my watch and it said 2:31am and I knew my grandpa would be up soon so I went back to my tent but I never forgot that place because I have never felt so at peace as I was then."
~"I was in Belize right by then ocean listening to music sitting in a hammock between two palm trees and the sun was setting right over the water; it was beautiful. I was by myself and I felt so peaceful. Belize is paradise for me and when I'm there I can just dream a thousand dreams."
~"I get relaxed the most when I'm exercising. I center my awareness on my workout, my body, my mind, and spirit. And if I feel like I can go and extra minutes, I will. After I exercise, I feel that I'm more focused than ever. And if I feel exercising will not work, I take time out to go outside and take and few breaths, deeply, in and out,
think about things and get them straight. That's when I feel the most relaxed."
~"I was with my family and friends and we were at a resort place. We were just chilling out--playing in the pool, playing beach volleyball, mini golf, and going on nature runs. We were sleeping a lot and always eating good food. We also spent time with God and we listened to him and he listened to us and spoke to us. We didn't have a worry in the world....we just needed to love each other and be happy."
~"I was in the backseat of car going to Kansas City, Missouri. I was with my parents and I was sleeping and reading and writing, all the things I like to do that I never have time to do at home."
~"I was on holiday to Italy, with family and my boyfriend, and I was lying in the sun with my boyfriend, in his arms and nothing seemed to matter. It was just very relaxing and nice. Nothing to worry about at a moment like that!!"
~"Getting my first facial. Until they got a bit of lotion in my eye. :P"
~"Probably several times. This year, when I had no homework (or had already done it), I would just think, "Ahhhh! What a relief." And so I would put a movie on in the background, one that I have seen a million times, and I would curl up on the couch. My cat would wander over and smother me by placing her enormous weight on my face (for some strange reason). Pushing her down onto my chest, I would drift off thinking about something pleasant, and, well, relaxing..."
~"I was 14 years old and it was my summer vacation. I was at my cottage for a month. I decided to float out to the middle of the lake on a tube. The sun was shining, I was having ice cream and reading a magazine, and I had absolutely no worries. I've tried to recreate that moment, but now I don't even have to go to my cottage this summer because I work full time. You're only 14 once, I guess."
~"I was in a dream, with me, myself and I, and I was lying on a grassy field that seemed never to end."
~"When I make the choice to relax, I can relax because there is always something to be stressed about. so you have to make the decision to be relaxed."
~"I was in my back yard riding my horse. It just seems like the whole world is below you and on hold until you step down; they'll listen to you."
~"In a yoga class with, like 100 humidifiers around on high, and when you inhale it's like taking a sip of fruit flavored water. Stretching any tense muscles, and putting a special cold cream on you, I went with a friend of course!"
~"I'm in my own world where there is magic! My world is full of fairies and gothic people who can relate to me. A place to have fun and be loud but there's always a peaceful place to relax, somewhere dark! Some people would say that a dark place is depressing, but to me it is relaxing. I lay on the soft grass, fairies dancing around me, singing and fairy dust floating in the warm breeze. The stars dotted all over the black sky! This is the place that I have always wished for. It's my special place, where nothing else matters!"
~"I remember one evening I stayed up late reading Stargirl. My younger siblings were in bed and the house was really quiet and peaceful. I was eating an apple for a bedtime snack, and my mom was up reading and my brother was on the computer. Stargirl wasn't the greatest book ever, I had school the next day, and I'll take a brownie over an apple any day, but I remember feeling really peaceful and content that night, curled up on the couch with my book."
~"I was at Six Flags with my YMCA camp and my friends. It was relaxing because we had nothing to do except ride the rides and be back at a certain time. We just kind of ran around like maniacs and rode the rides that were open. It was pretty fun. My idea of relaxation is having fun."
~"A fake heaven rainforest place with no bugs."
~"I've never been COMPLETELY relaxed. But, if I could have one day to do be as lazy as I wanted, I would go to the beach and play in the waves for hours, sit in a fluffy sofa covered with pillows watching my favorite movie, getting on Neopets, swim for hours and hours and hours and hours and hours and not get sunburned. That would be the most relaxing day I can think of once I add a huge bowl of ice cream to eat while watching my favorite movie. :)"
~"I'd be in a cute lil' house that floated in the clouds and I would have a marshmallow for a bed and a talking cat."
~"I was cleaning my room and organizing all of my old stuff, and decorating. To me it was very relaxing, though I'm sure to some people it wouldn't be."
~"I was at a spa having a makeover complete with facial, nails, pedicure, and eyebrow waxing. Having my nails pampered made me feel so feminine. I loved it and the makeup was marvelous. I looked great!"
~"I can't remember anything really specific, but I was probably either alone, or with my dad and taking a walk in the countryside or something similar. I find that I am usually mostly relaxed by taking a walk somewhere quiet and pretty, when the weather is bright, but comfortable."
~"A poolside holiday in Fuerteventura was the most relaxed I've ever been - with my sister and dad. We lay by the pool on sun loungers with a big bag each containing everything we could possibly need - books, magazines, notebooks, personal stereo. We only had to move to turn over, to go and cool off floating lazily in the pool or sitting in the shallow water at the edge, and to fetch lunch from the poolside cafe. One day we went on a catamaran trip and did the whole thing again but with the sea breeze, gentle rolling of the waves, intense sun and salty, fresh food. It was ABSOLUTE BLISS! Everyone should go on pool holidays, within a resort or hotel complex, to relax - you have so little to worry about, little need to go anywhere out of necessity - it's wonderful!"
~"I was sitting on the couch, with my dad, watching a movie. The sound was low, but there was nobody talking in the background, so we could hear it just fine. We were just hanging out like normal buds would and it was what I like to call a lazy day! Very relaxing...zzzzzzz (lol)"
~"A time when I was so relaxed was when I was on a car ride to someplace (I don't even remember where because that's how relaxed I was) and I was sitting in the car seat listening to music at some points, looking out the window and daydreaming, eating, and sleeping at other times."
~"When I felt so relaxed that nothing else seemed too important was when I was at my aunt's house. I was with my parents, and my aunt. I was just sitting around, watching my aunt knit a scarf."
~"Seeing as though I'm filling this survey in at midnight, I can't really think so I'm just going to make up a time which I think would result in total relaxation: Nothing bothers me, all my troubles with friends, boys, family, etc. are at peace. I've no exams, homework, work, pressure; I can remain in a state of mind that is totally unaware. My body is as relaxed as a summer wind gently lifting a leaf through the air, no aches, no pains. Just how I should be. I'm in the countryside just staring into the pale blue sky which is contrasted against the pastel greens of the meadows and flashes of red poppies in the distance. I am in awe, yet relaxed."
~"I was at my dad's house with my brother and his friends and we were just sitting there watching MTV and David and Cody were dancing around being idiots, it was so hilarious. When I'm relaxed, I'm usually either listening to music or laughing my head off, so doing both was good for me."
~"I was out shopping with my mom (actually my foster mom but she's my mom) just talking, hanging out, and enjoying our time together. We were looking for some summer clothes for my sister and me and since I had just moved in with her and dad, we were getting to know each other. For once, I wasn't having to make all the decisions for my sister and me. I found someone who was willing to take care of us and just treat us like teens instead of mini adults. It gets kind of hard to explain. She took time to do something fun and was willing to just listen and not demand."
~"I was upset and so my mom got in her recliner and got me in her arms like she used to when I was little and she just rocked me back and forth and talked with me. I felt better then."
~"I was on vacation on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina with my family: my, mom, dad, and younger brother. I was at the beach and the pool making friends and relaxing. I ate a lot and explored with my brother. I also realized that he is one of my best friends. That was a very nice, peaceful time to relax."
~"Well, if there was that one time...I would be at a green and the most beautiful valley where there a lot of flowers and no thorns at all. On the extreme side, there would be a beautiful waterfall which trickles down a naturally carved rock and the sun's rays would be shining on it (not too brightly) so that the water flowing from the mouth of the waterfall would look like honey! I would love my family to be there...my mum, dad and brother (although I don't like him) where we would be playing and dancing and singing and laughing and cooking and joking and playing music and catching butterflies and imitating little birds.....WOW!!! What a dream!"
~"I was asleep; that is the most relaxing time for me because when you are awake, you have loads of worries. But when you are asleep, your worries seem to drift away."
~"I was alone at home. I was with my best friend (not really) the remote, and his buddy, TV."
~"My friend and I were at a spa because I won a gift certificate for $260 and we were getting massages and I got a phone call from my mom and she said we had to come back so I could finish my chores and I asked her if she could get my little brother to do it for me. He did."
~"I was in my bed taking a nap with my cat. My room has lighter colors that relax me. Also, when the window is open, I can listen to the wind blow, which helps in relaxation. Everyone needs to take a little time out of their day for relaxation. I believe that it helps improve your efficiency at work and makes you a happier person."
~"In Italy on a school trip on a coach with all my friends & I was listening to music and looking out the window, contemplating life. Everything was good at that time despite some things bothering me, but I was truly content. It was a great feeling. I wish I could go back to that moment in time."
~"That one time is not just one time. Every time I am playing my saxophone, I am relaxed. I play in my front room by myself, and just play away. The saxophone is part of my life, and I will never stop. The saxophone is part of me, and relaxing is focusing on yourself."
~"My answer is silly, but the one time I would be completely relaxed would be talking to my crush/friend Brandon and we would either be on the bus from school or we would be hanging out in front of my house or in my living room, just sitting down talking, maybe listening to music or have the TV turned on, maybe sitting on the sidewalk just talking back and forth. That's what I would be doing."
~"I was in Melbourne and I was 9 with my whole family and we had done everything from going to the beach to Luna Park to the zoo. It was the best holiday ever."
~"I was in Australia visiting my dad and his family. It was the middle of the day, everyone was out and I was reading on the swinging chair by his pool. The sun was out but not too hot, and I was thousands of miles away from my home, friends and my mum. It might sound weird but I was relieved about this because it meant I had nothing to worry about! I loved it!"
~"Just in my room with nobody home, the entire house to myself. I read, stretched, listened to music, and thought about my stories (I'm a writer). I was able to do anything that I wanted with no interference."
~"I was reading a book. I was by myself. I was totally happy. I had chocolate candy on my nightstand and a comfy pillow on my bed where I was reading. I would occasionally take a bite of chocolate and my worries would melt away."
~"The one time I was most relaxed was when I was sitting on my roof in the middle of the night. My best friend was the only one with me. We just sat there and looked at the stars and talked about our lives. I haven't ever felt that way before. It was like everything was gone, and it was only us."
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with us!
Please remember that all web-based polls
are not scientific because the pollsters cannot randomly select the
respondents to participate in the surveys.
All our surveys are anonymous; check out our privacy
policy. All data copyright 1996-2000.
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