Half of Brits feel guilty for taking a break

We've even turned relaxing into hard work

New research commissioned by McVitie's has revealed that nearly half of adults (46 per cent) feel guilty for taking time out during the day, with modern life making it increasingly difficult to properly switch off.

Busy working days, endless to-do lists and packed routines were among the biggest contributors to the feeling, with more than half of those surveyed (54 per cent) admitting they feel pressure to always be “on”.

Whether it’s replying to emails, staying on top of life admin or trying to squeeze more into the day, one in two people said taking a moment to pause can feel “indulgent” or even “unproductive”. Around a third admitted they even apologise for taking a break.

The findings suggest the pressure to stay constantly connected is also affecting how people connect with each other.

More than four in 10 people (42 per cent) said they regularly deprioritise making plans with friends, while 39 per cent admitted they often put off checking in with family due to busy schedules and daily responsibilities.

Over half (57 per cent) said they feel they are missing out on meaningful moments of connection because of the demands of modern life.

When downtime does happen, it is often spent alone scrolling on phones rather than socialising, with 47 per cent saying they spend breaks doomscrolling and 35 per cent using the time to catch up on messages instead.

Leading psychologist and The Traitors star Dr Ellie Buckley said the findings reflect the emotional toll of modern “always-on” culture.

She said: “People often underestimate the value of small, everyday moments of connection. A quick chat over a cup of tea, a shared biscuit break or simply taking five minutes to check in with someone can have a meaningful impact on how connected we feel.

“In busy lives, we can start to view rest or pauses as unproductive, when actually those moments can help support relationships, improve mood and create a greater sense of balance.”

The study also found that 79 per cent of people experience a boost in mood after a positive interaction with friends or family, while more than three quarters (77 per cent) believe we should “bring back the biscuit break” to encourage more spontaneous moments of connection during the day.

Pippa Whybourne, marketing manager at McVitie’s, said: “Connection often happens in the in-between moments - whether that’s a biscuit break between meetings, a quick catch-up with a friend or simply taking a moment to pause together.

“In a world that’s constantly switched on, those small shared moments can make a real difference.”