More Americans Find Daily Zen In Driving Instead Of Doing Yoga
May 2, 2018 by Volvo(ROCKLEIGH, N.J.) In a wide ranging survey of Americans, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Volvo, 75% are seeking more ways to find calm amid the increasing stress in their lives, while surprisingly finding more daily serenity on their drive (20%) than while doing yoga (14%). The full results are published in Volvo Reports: Finding Calm in the Commute, the second in a series of Volvo Reports from Volvo Car USA and Harris Poll, which explore the ever-changing relationship between Americans and their car. 'Stress levels are undoubtedly rising, and now more than ever, Americans are looking ways to rebalance and relax, particularly while driving,' said Jim Nichols, Product & Technology Communications Manager for Volvo Car USA. 'The daily commute is often the only 'me time' people get and Volvo has long believed it is best to maximize that time in a way that makes sense for drivers and passengers.' Many of those surveyed indicated they are turning to their vehicles as their sanctuary from the day's stress. A few additional highlights from the research include:
- • 94% of Americans believe serenity is important
• 76% of working Americans have a stressful commute; 33% of them are searching for serenity during their daily commute
• Stress is amplified as drivers' commutes lengthen, not just while driving, but also around juggling other life responsibilities
- • Those who commute 30-60 minutes are most likely to report higher levels of daily stress than they felt a year ago (71%), surpassing both parents (67%) and millennials (70%)
• Amongst these commuters (30-60 minutes), 81% wish they had more time to relax during their daily drive.
• Americans are willing to sacrifice for a calmer commute
- • 1 in 4 would give up social media for a month (24%)
• 1 in 5 would stretch their budget to buy a more relaxing vehicle (15%)
• 84% say they feel more relaxed in their own vehicles compared to using mass transit
• Top features that would help commuters relax in the car:
- • Comfortable seats (52%), Seats that optimize posture (40%), Better noise insulation (31%), Air filters that prevent smells/pollutants (27%), Automated safety features (26%), Better selection of music, podcasts and other audio (26%)
• And it's not just drivers who are feeling the pain:72% of passengers find the riding experience stressful.
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