South Africans are feeling the festive frenzy – here’s how to find your calm

You can feel it, can’t you? The calendar flips to December and suddenly South Africans go from chilled to “just hold my chakalaka, I’m panicking” – all in under 0.3 seconds. Here’s some sage advice on how to cope with Christmas (or whatever else you celebrate over the festive season).

New research from Volvo Car UK has revealed that Brits are feeling overwhelmed this festive season. Frankly, we think many South Africans would give them a run for their money – because while the Brits are stressing about turkeys and tinsel, we’re navigating power outages, mall madness, scorching heat and the great national tradition of pretending that we really do love the family just popping over, unannounced.

And yet, just like us, the Brits say they’re craving one thing more than anything else this Christmas: calm.

According to the research (full credit to Volvo Car UK), 53% of Brits simply want to rest and relax on Christmas Day. Doesn’t that sound delicious?

December: International season of stress

The Brits surveyed admitted they’re overwhelmed by:

• Trying to make Christmas perfect for everyone else (67%).
• Feeling guilty for taking time for themselves (36%).
• The chaos of festive shopping, hosting, travelling, spending… you know the drill.

Sound familiar? South Africans may not have snow or sleigh bells, but we absolutely understand the pressure of trying to be Santa, Super Parent and Braai Master all at once.

The research even pinpointed the exact moment stress peaks in the UK: 12:27pm on Christmas Day, as the Brits frantically juggle lunch timing.

And yes – the Brits are also pushed over the edge when All I Want For Christmas Is You plays for the 900^th time (we salute their patience; we’d switch off the radio long before then).

Escape route: The car (or truck)

Perhaps the most relatable finding is that 35% of Brits escape festive chaos by going for a drive, while over half say driving brings them rare moments of peace.

We get it. The car or truck is the only place in December where no-one can find you (except maybe your boss when the load is late), the music is yours, the aircon works (assuming you have one) and no one is asking where the sticky tape is.

So how do you cope with the festive season frenzy?

Richie Norton’s tips for a calmer Christmas

Volvo teamed up with wellness expert Richie Norton, who shared five excellent, simple ways to reclaim your calm. We’ve included them here – because honestly, we all need them:

1. Breathe before you begin

Before tackling your festive to-do list, take 60 seconds for deep, slow breathing. It’s like rebooting your festive software.

2. Turn the drive into downtime

Make your car or truck your sanctuary. It’s all about audiobooks, soothing playlists – or just blessed silence.

3. Protect your “micro moments”

Say no to things that drain you. Yes, even that one mandatory bring-and-braai.

4. Move a Little

Ten minutes of walking, stretching or strolling through the garden or at a truck stop can make a huge difference. Small moves can equal big calm.

5. On Christmas morning, don’t forget YOUR moment

Before the chaos erupts, take 10 minutes outside with your coffee. No noise. No people. Just you and the birds (or perhaps the neighbour’s generator).

Norton puts it best: “Christmas should be a time to pause and connect – but it’s becoming a whirlwind. Being with loved ones is what it’s all about, but make time to look after yourself too.”

So as we wrap up the year, we hope you embrace a little calm, a little peace and maybe the occasional quiet drive. Because – whether you’re in Birmingham or Bloemfontein – everyone deserves a moment of holiday stillness.