The Rest & Relaxation Report: How Well Rested Are Brits in 2025?

People across the UK are focused more than ever before on wellbeing. From Sunday reset routines, to bed rotting, spa days, and everything in between, it seems as though rest & relaxation is having its moment in the spotlight.

Despite all this focus, over half of Brits (53%) still don’t feel well rested. And with almost half of the population reporting daily burnout or stress (47%), our national rest deficit could be contributing to a much bigger health and wellbeing crisis.

In this exclusive survey commissioned by Platinum Spas, we set out to understand what’s really going on. We asked over 2,000 adults across the UK to share:

• How well rested they actually feel
• The habits they currently use to relax – from TV to treat food, phone scrolling, exercise and more
• Which forms of rest are truly effective, and which ones aren’t delivering the benefits we expect
• What’s trending in 2025 when it comes to rest and relaxation, from gua sha to red light therapy

How Are Brits Resting – And Is It Working?

Whilst rest is a priority for many, our current habits suggest we might still be getting it wrong.

• 47% of Brits admit they rely on quick fixes like junk food, screen time, or slumping in front of the TV to relax – habits that may offer short-term relief but rarely lead to meaningful, restorative rest.
• 52% say they keep pushing themselves until they can take a holiday or extended break – but delayed rest can lead to chronic stress and burnout if it becomes the norm.
• Almost half (47%) feel burnt out or stressed every day – which is only made worse by inconsistent rest habits or reliance on short-term fixes.

This short-term approach to rest may provide temporary relief, but it’s often not enough to reset the body and mind. Dr Gracie McLaven, clinical psychologist at Brain Body Wealth, says:

“Rest is absolutely vital for our mental health, it’s during these quiet moments that our brain is able to process thoughts, regulate emotions, and consolidate memories. Without rest, our minds stay in a constant state of overload, which can lead to increased stress, irritability, and difficulty coping.”

The Good News? Brits Want to Rest Better

Even though the majority of our nation feels stressed or burnt out almost every day, 66% say they want to get better at rest and relaxation. 

This doesn’t just mean quick, ineffective fixes like a weekend away, or a day of bed rotting. In fact, 65% of people are interested in creating better long term habits to help them relax.

So, How Are Brits Choosing To Relax in 2025?

With over two-thirds of Britons trying to get better at resting, and over half (56%) trying to be more intentional with how they spend their relaxation time, we took a closer look at the habits people are turning to in 2025.

Unsurprisingly, screen-based activities still dominate. Watching TV tops the list, with 79% of respondents saying they’ve done it to unwind. Close behind are gentle walks (72%) and reading (68%) – more traditional forms of rest that may actually offer better benefits. Meanwhile, two-thirds (66%) admit to scrolling on their phones or spending time on social media to relax, and 65% treat themselves to food like sweet snacks or picky bits.

Dr Gracie McLaven, adds:

“It’s great to see that gentle walks are the nation’s second most common form of unwinding. The rhythmic back and forth can help regulate our emotions, promote relaxation and aid in the processing of difficult experiences.”

What is the Most Effective Type Of Rest?

When asked which habits genuinely helped them feel more rested, Brits pointed to the more mindful, movement-based, and nature-led practices:

1. Gentle walks = 88% effective
2. Spending time in nature or forest bathing = 88% effective
3. Spa trip or massage = 83% effective
4. Physical exercise e.g. gym, running, hiking, swimming = 83% effective
5. Reading = 82% effective
6. Sunday reset = 81% effective
7. Slow mornings, slow evenings and bubble baths = 80% effective
8. Yoga or pilates = 80% effective
9. Meditation, tapping, breathwork or journaling = 78% effective
10. Saunas, hot tubs or hydrotherapy = 77% effective

These results suggest that the most effective rest tends to come from slowing down, being present, and physically engaging with the world around us – whether that’s through movement, mindfulness, or simply being outdoors.

Dr Gracie McLaven offers some words of wisdom to Brits:

“As with most things in life, it’s less about quantity and more about quality. Just 15 minutes of intentional, high-quality rest can make a meaningful difference to our mood, focus, and emotional wellbeing.”

On the flip side, some of the most common relaxation habits were also rated the least effective:

1. Bed rotting = 54%
2. Scrolling on phones or social media = 54%
3. Treating yourself with food = 66%

Looking Ahead: What Are the Next Big Trends in Relaxation?

As interest in long-term rest habits grows, many Brits are looking to try new methods in 2025 – particularly those that are immersive, sensory-based, or rooted in wellbeing science.

Here’s what people are most interested in exploring:

1. Therapies such as red light, compression therapy or similar = 38%
2. Spa trip or massage = 36%
3. Yoga or pilates = 35%
4. Sunday reset = 34%
5. Meditation, tapping, breathwork or journaling = 33%
6. Spending time in nature or forest bathing = 33%
7. Slow mornings, slow evenings and bubble baths = 32%
8. Outdoor swimming, pond bathing = 32%
9. Skincare routines, gua sha = 30%
10. Drawing, doodling, colouring, pottery, puzzles or crafts = 30%
11. Ice bath, cold water therapy, cryotherapy or contrast therapy = 29%
12. Saunas, hot tubs or hydrotherapy = 28%

It’s encouraging to see so many Brits exploring fresh, restorative ways to rest – especially ones that move beyond endless scrolling or background TV and instead focus on truly recharging the mind and body.

Rest Isn’t a Luxury – It’s a Necessity

In conclusion, our exclusive Rest & Relaxation Report reveals that Brits are trying their very best to relax and unwind – but often in ways that don’t truly work. Whilst screen time and snacks might feel like easy wins, they rarely offer the kind of deep, meaningful rest we actually need to reduce stress. 

So, whether it’s a gentle walk, a Sunday reset, or experimenting with therapies like red light or forest bathing, we’d encourage you to embrace more mindful, long-term ways to unwind and reduce burnout. 

And for those looking to elevate their relaxation routine at home, investing in a little daily luxury can make a big difference. Platinum Spas’ range of at-home hot tubs offers a proven way to relax muscles, calm the mind, and create your own personal sanctuary. Get in touch to find out more.

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• The Rest & Relaxation Report: How Well Rested Are Brits in 2025? - 08/05/2025