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NPower

One Poll

21 December 2010

The average Brit worries seven times a day, for at least eight minutes on each occasion, a study revealed yesterday (Mon).
Putting on weight, the cost of living and fears over falling ill emerged as some of the biggest fears, as did being able to afford to eat and forgetting to lock the house.
Some of the more obscure worries include having a big bottom, managing to keep the house clean and going grey.
The total means Brits worry for the equivalent of just under an hour a day - or an astonishing 2.3 years over the average adult lifetime of 60.5 years.
The fears emerged in a study of 3,000 people carried out by npower home team.
Spokesman Richard Cotton said: ''Our survey shows that Brits have a lot on their mind at the moment.
''We are also more worried about things like getting wrinkles and keeping the house clean than how happy our children are or whether we've gone into our overdraft.
''It's important to keep things in perspective and not let worries get in the way of enjoying life.''
The study also found the current cold snap has left one in three are worried about their boiler breaking down.
Skidding on ice also features in the list.
In addition the poll showed money worries consume many Brits. Being unable to pay a bill was the fifth biggest concern, while the size of the 'rainy day fund' was and seventh.
People also worry about spending too much at the shops, house prices, going into the overdraft before pay day and being able to afford to settle down with children.
Being part of a close knit family also causes apprehension for many of those polled, with anxiety over aging relatives, concerns over the children's happiness and performance are also common.
Where partners are concerned, many worried about being dumped and being cheated on.
And the survey shows many Brits are understandably anxious about looking after the house.
As well as remembering to lock the house, forgetful folk also worry about keeping it safe and in good working order
Leaving the hair straighteners on or remembering to turn the oven off, and the boiler breaking also made the list.
Other worries which appear in the top 50 include upsetting someone, getting wrinkles, drinking too much alcohol and being late for work.
Crashing the car, not being able to have children and weight fears feeling forced to buy a bigger dress size also featured.
TOP 50 WORRIES
1.     Cost of living
2.    Lack of money
3.    Illness
4.    Personal health
5.    Not being able to pay a bill
6.    Remembering to lock the house
7.    Big enough rainy day fund
8.    Putting on weight
9.    Spending too much money on shopping
10.    Upsetting someone
11.    Keeping the house clean
12.    Growing old
13.    Worrying about aging parents
14.    Dying
15.    Unemployment
16.    Wrinkles
17.    Keeping the house safe
18.    What to eat for dinner
19.    My partner might leave me
20.    Keeping the house in good working order
21.    Not having enough time
22.    House prices
23.    Going grey
24.    Overdraft
25.    Being late for work
26.    Children's happiness
27.    Forgetting someone's birthday
28.    Drinking too much
29.    Leaving hair straighteners on
30.    Alarm not going off
31.    My car skidding on the ice
32.    Traffic
33.    Can't afford kids or a bigger house
34.    Today's weather
35.    Boiler breaking down
36.    Children doing well at school
37.           Children's behaviour
38.           Locking the car
39.    Baldness
40.    Losing youthful looks
41.    What to buy for Christmas
42.    Locking yourself out
43.    My partner might be cheating
44.    Crashing the car
45.    Having enough petrol to get home
46.    Falling pregnant
47.    Whether the oven is turned off
48.    Having to buy a bigger dress
49.    Being overdrawn
50.           Bottom getting bigger
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com