2 December 2025 – Christmas may be the season of joy, but for many Brits, it’s increasingly becoming the season of overwhelm. New research from Volvo Car UK reveals that more than half of people across the UK (53%) are craving rest and relaxation this festive season, with rising expectations, busy schedules and pressure to “get everything right” leaving many stretched thin.
According to the study, two-thirds (67%) say they feel weighed down by the need to create the perfect Christmas for everyone else, while over a third (36%) experience guilt when taking even a small moment for themselves. And as festive demands stack up, so does the stress.
The festive pressure peaks on Christmas Day
Shopping for gifts (39%), hosting friends and family (28%), increased spending (26%), packed social calendars (18%) and long trips to visit loved ones (16%) all contribute to a growing sense of strain. But unsurprisingly, the research shows stress reaching its absolute peak on Christmas Day itself — hitting its highest point at exactly 12:27pm, as families juggle the pressures of preparing Christmas lunch (27%) alongside a house full of guests.
For some, even the soundtrack to the season becomes too much: one in ten (10%) admit that hearing All I Want for Christmas Is You yet again is enough to push their patience over the edge. One in five (21%) get just 30 minutes or less of genuine quiet time all day and, on average, most people don’t find a moment to actually sit down and unwind until 5:41pm.
The car: an unexpected festive sanctuary
In the midst of the hustle, many Brits are finding refuge in an unexpected place — their car. More than a third (35%) say they use driving as a way to escape the festive chaos, and 54% report that time behind the wheel offers one of the few quiet moments they experience all season.
Music and podcasts help 35% unwind during journeys, while 22% say simply watching the scenery pass by gives them a welcome reset. For others (15%), the focus and sense of control that driving provides is what brings relief.
Notably, four in ten (41%) believe electric vehicles offer a significantly calmer, quieter driving experience than petrol or diesel models. Volvo’s electric range — designed with clean Scandinavian minimalism, quiet cabins and a focus on wellbeing — reflects this growing desire for more peaceful personal spaces.
However, not every festive drive is serene. One in five (21%) say travelling home for Christmas is their least favourite drive of the year, with heavy traffic (37%), rushing to leave the house on time (30%) and kids’ back-seat complaints (26%) topping the list of stress triggers.
Helping the nation reclaim calm
To support people through the emotional highs and lows of the season, Volvo Car UK has partnered with wellbeing expert and Volvo Wellness Ambassador Richie Norton. His goal: offer practical, accessible tools to help people reconnect with calm — whether they’re preparing lunch, navigating family expectations or simply trying to find five quiet minutes.
Richie Norton’s Five Tips for a Calmer Christmas
1. Breathe before you begin
Before tackling the to-do list, pause. A minute of conscious breathing — inhale for four, hold for four, exhale for six — helps lower stress and re-centre your mindset.
2. Turn the drive into downtime
Driving might not always feel peaceful, especially with kids, traffic or deadlines. But with an audiobook, a gentle playlist or even silence, it can become an oasis. If possible, take a solo drive with no destination. A quieter electric vehicle can make this moment even more restorative.
3. Protect your “micro moments” of peace
The festive calendar fills up quickly. It’s okay to decline plans that drain your energy. Whether it’s leaving your phone in another room or skipping a social gathering, small acts of self-protection can restore balance.
4. Move your body, calm your mind
Gentle movement is one of the fastest stress relievers. A short walk, a few minutes of stretching or taking the long way back to the car can reset both body and mind.
5. On Christmas Day — find a moment just for you
Before the celebrations begin, take ten quiet minutes. Step outside with a warm drink, take a brief walk or enjoy a peaceful bath. Starting the day with stillness sets the tone for everything that follows.
“Christmas should be a time to pause and connect”
Richie Norton says the heart of Christmas shouldn’t be stress but connection:
“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. If it gets too much, do things that help you find perspective. Inventing a reason to jump in your car and take a moment of downtime 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 electric vehicle range, visit Volvo Cars.
