How much misfortune does it take to throw someone’s day off course? For many Americans, one rough morning can derail everything.
A survey conducted by Talker Research for Avocado Green Mattress reveals that the average American can tell by 8:36 a.m. if they're headed for a “bad day.” The poll of 2,000 people found that the average person experiences four bad days a month, adding up to a staggering 48 days — or a month and a half — of bad days each year.
One of the most surprising findings is that for 26% of respondents, a single morning mishap can make the entire day feel like a loss. Mornings seem to be the crucial battleground for determining the day’s mood. The top five morning mishaps that signal a bad day ahead include:
- Waking up feeling sick (35%)
- Sleeping poorly during the night (31%)
- Waking up with a headache (29%)
- Misplacing keys (26%)
- Forgetting a phone at home (25%)
Other common signs of a bad day include running out of toilet paper (22%), leaving a wallet at home (22%), and oversleeping (18%).
The impact of these morning setbacks can be significant. Nearly half of the respondents (48%) admitted to canceling plans or calling in sick to go back to sleep after sensing that the day would be tough.