Percentage of lowest-income Americans, those age 49 and younger, women, or those with children under the age of 18 in the household who say they are not well-rested, according to Gallup-Healthways data from 2008 and 2009: 33%

Percentage of retirees who say they feel well-rested: 78%

CUBICLE CUDDLERS

Percentage of employees who admit to having had a romantic relationship with a coworker, according to a poll commissioned by Workplace Options: 25%

Percentage of workers who view public displays of affection in the workplace as unacceptable: 88%

RETIRE? NOT ME

Percentage of working baby boomers age 50 to 64 who say they'd rather ease into retirement by working reduced hours or stay in their current job past age 65, not call it quits, according to an Ipsos Reid poll done for Life's Next Steps: 63%

Percentage who say they have to continue working past 65 because they need the money or benefits: 48%

IN RECESS

Percentage of elementary school principals who report a strong link between recess and academic achievement, according to a poll sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, National Association of Elementary School Principals and Playworks: 80%

Percentage of principals who report that students listen better after recess and are more focused in class: 66%

BEAUTY IS ATTITUDE

Rank of confidence in making a woman beautiful, according to Meredith Corp.'s Gamma Beauty Study: 1

Ranks of a positive outlook on life, an upbeat personality, healthy/shiny hair and a great body: 2, 3, 4, 5

HAILING A TAX AID

Percentage of U.S. adults who plan to file 2009 income tax returns, according to a study for H&R Block: 87%

Percentage of those who intend to use a professional tax preparer: 33%

Percentage who plan to do it themselves online (13 percent) or using computer software (11 percent): 24%

IDLE THOUGHT

"The real index of civilization is when people are kinder than they need to be."

— Louis de Berniere, novelist

Contact John MacIntyre at johnmacintyre@bwr.eastlink.ca.