Beijingers have more time for sleeping and eating compared with five years ago, according to a recent survey. The survey, conducted by the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences and Renmin University of China, recorded how Beijing residents spend their time in their daily lives.

The survey also found that men spend 18 more minutes asleep each day than they reported in a 1996 survey, while women spend 33 more minutes asleep each day. And men now spend 13 more minutes a day on food than in the previous survey, while women spend 18 more minutes a day.

On average, Beijingers spend eight hours and 41 minutes sleeping every day and one hour and 42 minutes eating.

The survey also found that Beijing residents are more used to eating out than at home.

Nearly 40 per cent of those surveyed said they had eaten at least one dinner at a restaurant during the last week. Five years ago, this would be "an unimaginable figure" according to researcher Lei Tao.

The average individual check paid for eating out is 85 yuan (US$10), while some restaurant expenditures hit as much as 2,000 yuan (US$241).

With ample time spent sleeping and eating, people can recover their energy sooner, thus enjoying a healthier lifestyle and higher quality of life, Lei said.

The survey also found that working women lead very tiring lives, despite the greater amount of time they spend sleeping and eating.

Women spend 31 more minutes than men on housework every weekday. Such chores include cooking, shopping and caring for children and elderly relatives.

On weekends, the gender gap regarding housework activities widens further.

Women spend four hours and 12 minutes a day on housework while men spend only two hours and 45 minutes a day on chores.

(China Daily March 4, 2002)