Top 25 ways Brits let off steam - including walks, music and tea

20 July 2023 , 11:43

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Brits claim there comes a point where they feel stressed - for 41 minutes, every single day (Image: Getty Images)

Brits have revealed how they let off steam - including screaming into a pillow, cleaning the house, and having a cup of tea.

A poll of 2,000 adults found they typically need to let loose 14 times-a-week, with Monday - between 3 and 4pm - the time they’re most likely to reach boiling point.

Other ways they find their inner calm include going for quiet drive, baking cakes, and booking a holiday.

This comes as a whopping 90% said they feel stressed at some point every single day - typically for a total of 41 minutes.

The research was commissioned by makers of the low steam, low noise Edge Kettle by Breville, which has partnered with charity, The Mindfulness Project, to 'brew up' a list of calmness tips.

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Top 25 ways Brits let off steam - including walks, music and tea

Cleaning the house is one of the ways Brits will let off steam (© SWNS)

Iain Stuart-Crush, brand director for the makers of the ‘Quiet Mark Accredited’ kettle, said: “Life can be extremely fast-paced, and we often don’t find those daily moments to focus on ourselves.

"We know the importance of finding a moment to breathe and re-centre ourselves, especially when we reach the point where it all gets a bit much."

Other favoured methods for letting off steam include yoga, going to the gym, and writing down their thoughts.

Watching a movie, getting stuck into a good book, and having a bath were also popular among those polled.

In addition to identifying how Brits de-stress, the study also determined some of the biggest reasons causes of their frustrations.

Common catalysts include hefty workload (40%), personal finances (39%), and belongings breaking (32%).

The study, carried out via OnePoll, found 75% of adults believe hot drinks such as tea, coffee, and hot chocolate help them relax.

With 23% voting English breakfast tea as the most calming of all hot beverages

Along with soothing properties, drinking hot drinks also break up the day (37%), give us a chance to recharge (36%), and provide a break from staring at screens (23%).

Tina Stallard, mindfulness teacher at The Mindfulness Project, said: “To help find a regular moment of calm in the midst of the busy day, we can use the process of making a cup of tea to slow down and find presence

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“We can use the time it takes for the kettle to boil to check in with ourselves, refocusing our attention toward what we might need to support our wellbeing.

TOP WAYS TO DE-STRESS ACCORDING TO THE MINDFULNESS PROJECT:

Make your cup of tea or coffee mindfully - When preparing your cup of tea or coffee, take a moment to slow down and engage the process with full awareness. You might do this by tuning into the senses one-by-one: sight, sound, touch, smell and, when you reach for your drink, taste.
Take part in a short breathing meditation - Mindful breathing can be powerful mindfulness practice. Find a quiet place to sit comfortably and bring your attention to your breath. Observe the natural rhythm of your inhalations and exhalations, trying not to control your breathing in any way.
Take time to connect with nature - Spending time outdoors can help us to you feel grounded, reduce stress, and foster a sense of interconnectedness with the world. When waiting for the kettle to boil, look outside your window and notice the detail of what’s happening around you.
Take part in a check-in meditation - A check-in meditation is a practice where you take a few moments to tune in to your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the body. This may help you to become more aware of your inner state and to better understand your needs.
Do a short body scan - A body scan is a mindfulness practice that involves systematically directing your attention through different parts of your body. Find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down, and work through the body, starting with the toes and working up very slowly. You may like to listen to a guided practice to help maintain attention.

TOP 25 WAYS ADULTS LET OFF STEAM: