New research from EDF has found that Britain is a nation of “off-peak performers”, with the majority of people reporting that they feel happiest during the quieter moments of the day.
To celebrate the findings, Scottish gymnasts Aaron Convery and Indira Williams took to Glasgow’s iconic Riverside Museum at sunset, performing gravity-defying routines that highlighted the benefits of flexibility and embracing life outside peak hours.
The campaign coincides with EDF’s role as a Principal Partner of the upcoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, which begins on 23 July 2026.
Brits Are Embracing Life Outside Peak Hours
According to EDF’s nationwide survey of 2,000 UK adults, 81% of respondents said they are happiest during life’s quieter moments. More than half (51%) identify as early birds, while 29% describe themselves as night owls.
The research suggests that many people use these off-peak periods to relax, recharge and focus on activities they enjoy without interruption.
Among the most popular off-peak habits were:
- Watching TV or streaming after everyone else has gone to bed (78%)
- Enjoying a tea or coffee before anyone else wakes up (78%)
- Secretly scrolling social media after saying they were going to sleep (68%)
- Sneaking a treat or takeaway they do not have to share (67%)
- Completing household chores before work (66%)
- Reading a book without interruptions (65%)
- Taking a late-night bath or shower (64%)
- Dancing or singing around the house alone (63%)
- Listening to music or podcasts at full volume (62%)
- Catching up on work to make the next day easier (62%)
Gen Z Is Leading the Off-Peak Wellness Trend
The study found a clear generational divide in how people spend their quieter hours.
While 29% of Brits overall identify as night owls, that figure rises to 44% among Gen Z. More than half of Gen Z respondents (53%) also said they perform best after everyone else has finished for the day, compared with just 33% of Baby Boomers.
Many younger adults are using these quieter moments for wellness-focused activities:
- Guided meditation (63%)
- Journaling (52%)
- Streaming yoga classes (48%)
- Taking a late-night bath for uninterrupted relaxation (81%)
The research also highlighted differences between men and women. Women were more likely to admit to secretly scrolling social media after bedtime (74% versus 61%) and dancing or singing around the house when no one else was around (69% versus 56%).
Why Quiet Time Matters
For many people, these off-peak moments provide more than just relaxation.
Nearly four in ten respondents (38%) said quieter periods help them reset and recharge, while 58% claimed their best ideas come when they have fewer demands on their time.
The survey also found:
- 71% perform better after spending less than an hour enjoying calm at the start or end of the day.
- 41% feel more positive after these moments.
- 39% feel more refreshed.
- 33% feel more productive.
- 86% have deliberately waited for a quieter time to tackle an important task because they believed they would do it better.
Parents Value Off-Peak Moments During School Holidays
The findings are particularly relevant during the summer school holidays, when family schedules become increasingly busy.
Among the 705 parents surveyed, 80% said they had developed a greater appreciation for quieter moments before the household wakes up or after the evening rush has ended.
Meanwhile:
- 66% said these moments help them enjoy the school holidays more.
- 33% said even a brief period of peace helps them stay calm under pressure.
- 29% said it helps them manage their time more effectively.
Many parents reported already shifting activities to quieter parts of the day, including running appliances later in the evening, organising tasks before the family wakes up, or preparing meals earlier to free up evening time together.
EDF Encourages Households to Shift Energy Usage
The research also revealed that 87% of Brits would be willing to move appliance use to off-peak times if it helped them save money or earn rewards.
EDF says its time-of-use tariffs are designed to help households take advantage of lower-demand periods throughout the day.
These include:
- GoElectric, the energy provider’s EV tariff offering seven hours of off-peak electricity between 11pm and 6am.
- FreePhase, which uses three pricing bands throughout the day to encourage customers to shift electricity use away from peak periods.
Dame Denise Lewis, Olympic and Commonwealth Games champion, said that both athletes and parents benefit from understanding when to push forward and when to recharge, noting that flexibility can make a significant difference to everyday life.
Joe Souto, Director of Retail at EDF, added that the research demonstrates how people are already embracing off-peak moments and that making small changes to when household tasks are completed can help customers save money while unlocking additional benefits.
Learn More
Readers can find more information about EDF’s energy tariffs and its partnership with the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games via EDF UK.
