Christmas cheer gives people festive bump to alleviate winter blues, data shows

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Skaters in festive fancy dress, some as Santa or Father Christmas, attend a Christmas-themed SantaSkate through central London, on Oxford Street, on December 14, 2024. open image in gallery A dachshund wearing a festive coat takes part in the Christmas Hyde Park Sausage Walk in Hyde Park, central London Overall Brits are much happier in summer, where 50 per cent reported being happy. People are 7.8 per cent more happy in Christmas, compared to the rest of winter, according to YouGov’s data. open image in gallery For the first time in 900 years, girls join choristers as they take part in a photocall at St Paul's Cathedral open image in gallery King Charles III records his Christmas message at the Fitzrovia Chapel Stress has hovered around 40 per cent for the past five years, but there was a jump to 47 per cent in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic lockdowns. open image in gallery A child looks at a house decorated with Christmas lights in North London YouGov has also surveyed people to find out what they like most about Christmas, with the most common answer being spending time with loved ones at 35 per cent.