New research: Brits crave calm this festive period as Christmas stress peaks

In partnership with wellness expert, Richie Norton, Volvo unveils top tips to help Brits reclaim the calm in and amongst the holiday chaos this year.

• Brits are seeking a calmer festive season, with over half (53%) saying they long for rest and relaxation on Christmas day
• The pressure of making the festivities perfect for everyone else (67%) and guilt for taking time to themselves (36%) is weighing them down
• Over a third use driving as a way to escape the festive chaos
• In partnership with Volvo Car UK, wellness expert, Richie Norton unveils top tips to help Brits reclaim the calm in and amongst the holiday chaos this year

2nd December 2025 - Festive stress is on the rise across the UK, with new research from Volvo Car UK revealing that more than half of Brits (53%) are longing for rest and relaxation this Christmas. Despite the season’s reputation for joy and togetherness, many feel overwhelmed by the pressure to make the celebrations perfect for everyone else (67%), while over a third (36%) admit they feel guilty taking any time for themselves in the lead-up to the big day.

Yet for many, the car offers an unexpected sanctuary. Over a third (35%) say they use driving to escape the festive chaos. It comes as Wellness expert, Richie Norton, unveils a variety of top tips to help Brits reclaim the calm in and amongst the holiday chaos this year.

Stress reaches its height on Christmas Day

The run-up to Christmas is a key source of strain. Shopping for gifts (39%), hosting (28%), spending money (26%), attending social commitments (18%), and travelling to see loved ones (16%) all add to rising tension. According to the research, the pressure peaks on Christmas Day itself - reaching its highest point at precisely 12:27pm as people juggle the timings of Christmas lunch (27%).

A further one in ten (10%) admit that hearing All I Want for Christmas Is You for the “millionth time” is enough to push their patience to the limit. One in five (21%) get 30 minutes or less of true quiet all day, with most not finding a chance to sit down and unwind until 5:41pm.

Escaping the chaos: the calming effect of driving

More than half of those surveyed (54%) find that time behind the wheel gives them a rare quiet moment over the festive period. Listening to music or podcasts (35%), watching the scenery pass by (22%), and enjoying the focus and sense of control that driving provides (15%) all help people reset.

Four in ten (41%) believe an electric vehicle delivers a calmer, quieter driving experience compared with petrol or diesel models - a sentiment reflected in Volvo’s EV approach to interior design, where clean, uncluttered Scandinavian styling and low cabin noise help create a soothing sense of space.

However, not all festive journeys are relaxing: one in five (21%) say travelling home for Christmas is their least favourite drive of the year, citing heavy traffic (37%), the rush to get out of the house on time (30%) and children complaining in the back seat (26%) as major stressors.

Helping the nation reclaim calm

To support people through the holiday rush, Volvo Car UK has teamed up with wellbeing expert and Volvo Wellness Ambassador Richie Norton to offer simple, accessible tools for bringing more balance into the season.

Richie Norton’s five tips for a calmer Christmas:

1. Breathe before you begin - Before diving into your festive to-do list, take a moment to centre yourself and focus on nothing but your breathing. Breathe in through your nose for four seconds, hold for four, and exhale slowly through your mouth for six seconds. Even just one minute of conscious breathing lowers stress and resets your mindset. 
2. Turn the drive into downtime - Driving is one of the few moments we can be truly alone. The reality is: most car journeys over Christmas involve kids in the back, traffic, or time pressure - not exactly peaceful. But there are ways to make driving calmer: try an audiobook, a soothing playlist, or simply silence. If you can, take a solo drive with no destination - just a quiet loop to clear your head. A quieter car, like an electric vehicle, can make this even more restorative.  
3. Protect your “micro moments” of peace - Christmas tends to fill up fast - parties, plans, people. It’s okay to say no to things that drain your energy. Protecting your “micro moments” of peace might mean leaving your phone in another room, skipping one social event, or carving out an evening to recharge.  
4. Move your body, calm your mind - It’s easy to let movement slide during the festive rush, but gentle exercise is one of the quickest ways to lift your mood and release tension. A short walk after lunch, ten minutes of stretching, or even taking the long way back to the car can reset both body and mind. 
5. Christmas Day - find a moment just for you - On Christmas day itself, before the day begins - before gifts, guests, or lunch prep - take 10 minutes for yourself. Step outside with a coffee, go for a walk in the fresh air or have a bath. A moment of stillness first thing sets the tone for the rest of the day. Take a breath, look around, and let yourself enjoy the moment - that’s where the real calm is found and can transform your whole day. 

Richie Norton, Wellness Ambassador at Volvo Car UK, said: “Christmas should be a time to pause and connect - but for many of us, it’s becoming a whirlwind. Making time for yourself and looking after your wellbeing is so important to ensure you have the energy to share with others. Being with loved ones over the festive period is ultimately what it’s all about. But if it gets too much, do things that help you find perspective during the festive period. Inventing a reason to jump in your car and take a moment of ‘down-time’ is a great way to recharge. Electric vehicles make this even easier, offering a peaceful, quiet drive that helps make those moments of calm truly restorative.”

For more information on Volvo’s EV range, visit: Volvo electric cars | EV range and offers | Volvo Cars

 

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