With lighter evenings on the horizon after a long winter, Brits are seeking ways to lift their spirits—and new research from giffgaff confirms it. Nearly nine in 10 UK adults (88%) admit they’re in need of a mood boost, while 21% rely on a treat or pick-me-up every 2–3 days to recharge their energy levels.
How Brits Reset and Recharge
For many, everyday activities like listening to music (44%), going for long walks (40%), and reading a book (24%) are the go-to ways to unwind. Others, however, crave more indulgent self-care experiences. According to giffgaff’s research:
- 19% name a massage as their top mood booster
- 12% opt for a sauna or steam room
- 10% say grooming treatments like manicures, waxing, or tanning lift their spirits
Despite this, a third of Brits (33%) haven’t treated themselves at all in the past year. Financial pressures are partly to blame, with 19% saying household bills make self-care hard to justify, and 11% admitting even small acts of self-care feel like an indulgence.
Swiping for a Boost: The Rise of Digital Mood-Boosting
Instead of booking treatments, many Brits turn to their phones, with 58% browsing for spa days, grooming treatments, or dream holidays just to feel uplifted—without any intention of committing.
giffgaff’s Booost Bar: A Pop-Up for Free Mood Lifts
To make wellness accessible to all, giffgaff opened a one-of-a-kind Booost Bar in East London, available from 4pm to 7pm—a time when almost a quarter (23%) of Brits experience a slump in mood and energy. The pop-up offered free experiences inspired by the top ways Brits recharge, including:
- Sunshine Boooster station: massage chairs, heated blankets, and SAD lamps for full-body refreshment
- Oxygen mask boosts: infused with ginger, lemon, peppermint, or eucalyptus
- Mood-boosting foods and drinks: such as Lion’s Mane hot chocolate and apple cider vinegar & pomegranate gummies
Visitors could also pick up a giffgaff SIM and enjoy data boosts of up to 200%—for example, 75GB instead of 25GB for just £10—available to all new and existing members until 18th May.
giffgaff CEO on Self-Care and Member Benefits
Kate Dohaney, CEO at giffgaff, said:
“When we saw that one in three people in the UK hadn’t taken time for a self-care treat in the past year, despite feeling the need to, it was clear there was an opportunity to give something back. The Booost Bar was designed to do just that—creating a moment for people to pause, recharge, and feel uplifted, all for free.”
She added that giffgaff’s approach mirrors their member offers: giving more value without asking members to pay extra, at a time when many providers are increasing prices.
Self-Care Preferences Across UK Cities
giffgaff’s research also revealed city-specific trends in self-care:
- Birmingham: 16% prefer a blow-dry
- Bristol: 15% opt for a sauna or steam room
- Belfast: 24% indulge in manicures, the UK’s highest
- London: 22% lean into massages, 7% try red light therapy
- Cardiff: 12% enjoy collagen masks
- Manchester: 8% book ice baths
- Liverpool: 4% favour IV infusions
These insights highlight the diverse ways Brits recharge, from traditional spa treatments to modern wellness trends.
