84% of over-50s think this is ideal (photo courtesy of Silversurfers.com)

The Press Release Wire on ResponseSource can be quite a mine of useful statistics for journalists, with original research and surveys behind many of the stories we distribute. Here are just a few that caught our eye in January.

1) The average UK adult is in a bad mood for about 41 minutes a day, A.Vogel Herbal Remedies has discovered. If you’re feeling pretty chipper and think that’s a bit pessimistic, don’t miss their list of 50 bad mood triggers including self-scanning tills, older drivers, and Piers Morgan: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92364/moody-monday-brits-lose-nearly-years-to-the-moody

2) A survey by Creditfix of people with an Individual Voluntary Arrangement or Protected Trust Deed, found that 74% felt debt had had led directly to mental health issues including anxiety, depression and insomnia: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92336/the-scale-of-mental-health-issues-caused-by-debt-uncovered

3) Teddies are the cause of more holiday headaches than technology so Child Friendly Villas Direct is introducing a free teddy repatriation service: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92365/survey-reveals-teddy-tantrums-to-be-the-number-one-cause

4) Only 7% of tech journalists and PRs are proud of the social diversity in their industry. Improving that diversity may be even more of a challenge in future, as 42% believe the growth of the ‘gig economy’ will make it even tougher for people to break in to the industry without existing contacts. More in this survey from TechJPR and Golin: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92446/pr-and-journalism-must-tackle-lack-of-diversity-and-build

5) Intelligence Node’s outerwear survey points out that parkas, probably in polyester, are more popular than pea coats and puffer jackets. They put it more sensibly, though: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92382/intelligence-node-launches-report-on-outerwear-trends

6) Are 25-34 year olds up to something they shouldn’t be, or just more canny about internet privacy? They’re the most likely age group to cover their webcams – 10.8% of them do this, compared to just 4.6% of over-45s, according to mobile phone insurer Row: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92442/4-2-million-british-adults-cover-their-webcam

7) 50+ and sleeping apart from your spouse? You’re not alone – metaphorically speaking, anyway. 84% of Silversurfers.com members think it’s fine: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92439/of-the-over-s-think-sleeping-in-separate-beds-makes

8) There are over half a million touring caravans in the UK, and another 330,000 static holiday homes in use, says the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92310/have-tent-will-travel-in-nearly-four-out-of-ten

9) If you’re in the Midlands and you’re not spending over a minute each day hugging people, then you’re letting your region down. A stat-filled release on behalf of CBeebies’ series Hey Duggee also tells us about the most huggable animals, celebrities and relations: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92406/revealed-the-science-behind-hugs-on-national-hugging-day