NORTH-East researchers have revealed that more than two thirds of people would like more rest after carrying out the world’s largest survey on the topic.

The researchers from Durham University also found a link between peoples’ well-being and how much rest they had.

More than 18,000 people from 134 different countries took part in the Rest Test, an online survey to investigate the public’s resting habits and their attitudes towards relaxation and busyness.

Dr Felicity Callard, principal investigator and social scientist at Durham University, said: “The survey shows that people’s ability to take rest, and their levels of well-being, are related. We’re delighted that these findings combat a common, moralising connection between rest and laziness.”

The survey found 68 per cent of people would like more rest, while 32 per cent said they needed more rest than the average person.

It also found that those who felt they needed more rest scored lower in terms of well-being.

Similarly, those who responded saying they think they get more rest than average or don’t feel in need of more rest, had well-being scores twice as high as those who wanted more rest, suggesting the perception of rest matters as well as the reality.

People responding said their most restful activities were reading, being in the natural environment, being on their own, listening to music and doing nothing in particular.

Dr Callard added: “It’s intriguing that the top activities considered restful are frequently done on one’s own. Perhaps it’s not only the total hours resting or working that we need to consider, but the rhythms of our work, rest and time with and without others.”

The Rest Test is part of a wider collaboration between BBC Radio 4 and Hubbub, Wellcome Collection’s researchers in residence led by Durham University, to explore the topic of rest from the point of view of multiple disciplines – from the arts to the social sciences to the life sciences.

The survey asked respondents to state how many hours rest they had within the last 24 hours.

The results showed that, on average, being younger and having a higher household income was associated with having fewer hours of rest. Those with caring responsibilities or in shift work which included nights also reported fewer hours of rest. The average time spent resting by UK respondents the previous day was three hours and eight minutes.