In an era where stress levels feel like a global rollercoaster ride (remember when we thought that feeling would subside after the pandemic?), there’s one thing everyone needs to do a lot more of: relax.
We’re examining how the relaxation habits of people in the UK compare to those in the US and what makes each generation tick. After all, the ways we choose to relax can reveal quite a lot about us.
Key Takeaways: United Kingdom
- Having a drink and watching a great TV show or movie are the most common relaxation activities in the UK, favoured in multiple regions including Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
- Baby Boomers and Generation X both have grabbing a drink at the top of their de-stress lists, whereas Millennials and Generation Z prefer watching a favourite screen-based programme or going for a walk.
- Baby Boomers experience the least daily stress and spend the most time relaxing per week (15.2 hours), whereas Millennials report the highest daily stress and the least relaxation time (4.1 hours). Finances are the top stressor for most people (31%).
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United Kingdom: A More Uniform Approach
The relaxation habits in the UK represent a slightly more deliberate and growth-based mindset, over creativity and flight of fancy:
Walking: Going for a good old-fashioned walk is a cherished relaxation activity in regions like the South West, South East, and East Midlands.
Diverse Drinking: Having a drink – whether it’s a cup of tea at home or something stronger out at a bar – is a favoured pastime across Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Yorkshire.
Screen Time: Watching movies or TV shows is a predominant way to relax in various UK regions, including the East Midlands, North West, and North East. This aligns with a global trend of turning to screens for relaxation and entertainment (which can only work so many times).
Reading and Travelling: Reading is a popular choice in the East of England, while travelling is favoured in London. These activities reflect a desire for both intellectual engagement and new experiences as forms of relaxation.
Active Relaxation: Playing sports is notable in the West Midlands, indicating a preference for physical activity and competitive fun as a way to de-stress.
Generational Trends in Relaxation
Generational differences in relaxation habits reveal how preferences are shaped and determined over time, embedded into the fabric of one’s life:
Baby Boomers: This generation predominantly enjoys having a drink and watching movies or TV shows. They also appreciate travelling. Baby Boomers report the lowest stress levels and spend the most time relaxing, with about 15.2 hours per week. Their relaxation choices reflect a mix of social, leisure, and travel-based activities.
Generation X: Gen Xers also favour having a drink but balance this with going for walks and watching movies or TV shows. They report moderate stress levels and spend around 11.3 hours per week relaxing. Their relaxation habits show a blend of social and physical activities.
Millennials: Watching movies or TV shows tops the list, along with going for walks and occasionally having a drink. They experience higher stress levels and spend the least time relaxing—around 4.1 hours per week. Limited downtime and lots of pressure, anyone?
Generation Z: The youngest generation enjoys watching movies or TV shows and travelling, with a penchant for playing video games. Despite having a lower stress level compared to Millennials, they spend about 5.9 hours per week relaxing, balancing their time between digital entertainment and travel.
UK Baby Boomers dedicate the most time to relaxation, spending about 15.2 hours per week. Generation X follows with 11.3 hours, while Millennials and Generation Z spend less time, at 4.1 and 5.9 hours per week, respectively. This discrepancy underscores the increasing demands on younger generations and their limited opportunities for relaxation.
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Key Takeaways: United States
- Gardening is the most popular way to relax, favoured in six states, followed by a significant four-way tie of reading, hiking, crafting, and cooking/baking.
- Baby Boomers experience the least daily stress and spend the most time relaxing per week (12.3 hours), while Millennials and Generation Z have the highest stress levels and the least time for relaxation (3.3 and 3.6 hours, respectively).
- Work (23%), finances (21%), and family (21%) are the top three causes of stress across all generations.
United States: A Diverse Palette of Relaxation
Across America, relaxation habits are as varied as the states themselves. Whether it’s hiking in Alaska or cooking in North Carolina, each region has its unique way of unwinding and letting go of whatever troubles them.
Outdoor Enthusiasm: A significant portion of relaxation in the US involves the great outdoors. Hiking is a favourite in states like Alaska, Idaho, and Maine, reflecting a love for nature and adventure. Cycling in Colorado and going for a walk in Delaware also showcase a reliance on physical activity and fresh air to stay sane.
Creative Pursuits: Crafting and drawing hold a special place in the hearts of many Americans. States such as Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri embrace crafting as a way to relax, while New Jersey and Wyoming prefer drawing or painting. A widespread appreciation for creative expression as a means to unwind? Why not?
Culinary Comfort: Cooking and baking are popular relaxation activities, especially in states like Georgia, Massachusetts, and Virginia (think rich and dense flavours). There’s nothing like the joy of creating something delicious – and then eating it.
Digital Distractions: Playing video games wins out in Florida, Montana, and Nebraska, among others. For many, gaming offers an immersive escape from daily life, especially when your daily life is particularly dull or just full of corn.
Cultural Consumption: Watching movies or TV shows is a common way to unwind, particularly in states like Connecticut and New York. This reflects a broader cultural trend towards screen-based relaxation, offering both entertainment and a break from reality.
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Generational Trends in Relaxation
Across different generations, relaxation habits show interesting trends. Here’s how each generation prefers to unwind:
Baby Boomers: This generation tends to favour having a drink and travelling as their top relaxation methods. They also enjoy watching movies or TV shows. Baby Boomers generally report the lowest stress levels and spend the most time relaxing compared to other generations, with about 12.3 hours per week.
Generation X: Members of Generation X balance a variety of relaxation activities. Gardening and cooking or baking are popular, as is yoga for some. However, this generation also experiences higher stress levels and spends less time relaxing—around 5.1 hours per week.
Millennials: For Millennials, watching movies or TV shows tops the list of relaxation activities, with going for walks and bird watching also being popular. Despite their high stress levels, they spend the least time relaxing—only about 3.3 hours per week.
Generation Z: The youngest generation enjoys travelling and playing video games as their primary ways to relax. They also engage in going for walks. Generation Z’s stress levels are lower than Millennials but still spend minimal time on relaxation—approximately 3.6 hours per week.
Baby Boomers report the lowest daily stress levels at 3.4 on a scale of 1 to 10, while Millennials feel the most stress at 8.2. Generation X and Generation Z fall in between, with Generation X experiencing a stress level of 6.8 and Generation Z at 7.3.
It’s probably not surprising that a significant majority of Americans – 74% – feel they don’t have enough time for sufficient relaxation, reflecting a much broader issue of overly busy schedules and constant demands impacting the ability to recharge.
Common Stress Triggers and Finding Balance: A Love Story
Work, finances, and family are the top stressors for Americans, with work-related stress being the most common, affecting 23% of people. This is followed closely by financial concerns and family issues, each affecting 21%. Current events and health issues also contribute to stress, though to a much lesser extent.
Across the UK, finances are the top stress trigger by far, impacting 31% of people. This is followed by work-related stress (20%) and family issues (17%). Current events and health concerns also contribute to stress but to a lesser extent. Social media and other factors have a smaller impact on stress levels.
Despite the varying ways adults from both the United States and United Kingdom relax, some important common threads are the awareness of self, a desire to manage stress, and motivation to find overall balance. Whether it’s through outdoor activities, creative hobbies, or simply spending time in front of the TV or with a good book, being able to effectively switch off and recharge is crucial to our health and survival.
It’s simple: no matter where you are, taking time to relax is crucial for managing stress and maintaining well-being. And, as the demands of modern life continue to grow, it’s essential to prioritise relaxation and seek out activities that bring you joy and peace – no matter what that looks like.
Methodology
This survey was conducted in August 2024 among 2,000 US adults and 2,000 UK adults. Of those from the United States, 62% identify as women, 33% as men, and 5% as other; in the UK, 51% of respondents were women, 48% men, and 1% other.
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