Three UK reveals Brits feel most comfortable opening up during outdoor strolls
New research commissioned by Three UK who is backing Samaritans Dawn Walk’ as part of their partnership with the charity has found that Brits are more likely to open up on a walk (46%), while 30% prefer to share their feelings when they’re on the phone to someone, so they don’t have to see their reaction.
Research of 2,000 adults revealed that 24% feel over a meal is the ideal time to open up and 20% are more inclined to talk about how they feel when on a long drive.
Marking World Mental Health Day next month, Dawn Walk is a 5k challenge taking place between the 10th – 13th October that encourages people to take part in something that could benefit their wellbeing whilst raising vital funds for Samaritans’ life-saving service.
Juliet Callaghan, Director of Corporate Communications at Three UK, said: “Research suggests that people tend to prefer opening up whilst doing an activity. Walking provides an opportunity for those who find it hard to articulate feelings face-to-face to open up and be vulnerable.”
The research also revealed 34% of adults find it hard to express their feelings because they don’t want to burden others with their problems. While 32% simply find it uncomfortable, and 26% have a fear of being judged if they share their innermost worries, a third (32%) say they are comfortable sharing personal experiences with someone they’ve just met, for example a trained professional.
People generally feel comfortable being on the receiving end of an emotive conversation – with 72% saying they feel comfortable responding to someone’s emotions if they open up to them. Encouragingly, 58% say they have a strong support system of people they can talk to, according to the OnePoll figures, yet only 20% are very confident in their ability to express their feelings verbally.
Juliet Callaghan at Three UK, which has been in partnership with Samaritans since April 2021, added: “It can be hard to take the leap to talk about how you feel. In today’s fast-paced world, many people find it easier to open up over the phone rather than in face-to-face conversations. Without the pressure of maintaining eye contact or observing immediate reactions, people often feel more comfortable sharing what’s on their minds.”
TOP 10 PLACES BRITS FOUND COMFORTABLE OPENING UP:
| Over a drink/ in the pub | 31% | |
| Anywhere outside in nature | 24% | |
| Over a meal | 24% | |
| A long drive | 20% | |
| Talking on the phone rather than face-to-face | 16% | |
| Online/ over chat (e.g. WhatsApp or Messenger) | 15% | |
| Via text | 12% | |
| Driving on a short journey | 6% | |
| In the workplace / At my place of work | 4% |
Making connections matter
Samaritans and Three UK have a shared belief in the life-changing power and possibility of human connection to make our lives better every day. Over the course of the partnership, which kicked off in April 2021, Three UK and Samaritans have created award-winning campaigns, Better Phone Friend and Talk More Than Football, encouraging people to reach out, connect and listen to loved ones.
TOP LISTENING TIPS FROM SAMARITANS: ‘SHUSH’
- Show you care: focus on the other person, make eye contact, remove all distractions
- Have patience: it may take time and several attempts before someone is ready to open up
- Use open questions: that need more than a yes/no answer and follow up, e.g., ‘Tell me more’
- Say it back: to show you’ve understood, but don’t interrupt or offer a solution
- Have courage: don’t be put off by a negative response and don’t feel like you have to fill silence