A word that was still largely unknown in the 1970s is increasingly burdening Germans: „leisure stress“. According to a new representative survey by the BAT Leisure Research Institute, the number of Germans who feel stressed in a wide variety of leisure situations has risen significantly since 1984. For example, three quarters of all German citizens (73 %) complain that the crowds at leisure events are increasingly getting on their nerves. Just three years ago, this proportion was only 65 %.

Families with children (78 %) suffer most from cramped conditions, crowds of people, waiting and queuing. But they also feel increasingly under pressure at home, feel the need to rest and relax after work, but are constantly „disturbed by others“ - especially by their own family.

Invitations - the unloved duty?

The number of visits and private invitations has more than doubled in Germans„ leisure behaviour since the 1950s. The result: more and more private invitations are seen as an “obligation„ that “must be honoured„. 60 per cent of Germans now feel that they are victims of “obligatory visits". The self-employed and liberal professions in particular (79 %) groan under the often self-imposed burden of obligatory visits, where professional necessities and private leisure interests collide. Even family reunions and visits to relatives are now seen as being close to such compulsory visits. 59 per cent of all respondents do not look forward to these events with undivided joy.

Leisure enjoyment versus noise pollution

What is a leisure activity for some is a nuisance for others. In the last three years, the population's perception of being „annoyed“ by noise at sporting events, funfairs and street festivals has increased considerably - from 46 to 55 %. German citizens are now more sensitive to noise, even if noise pollution is not objectively increasing or even decreasing in some cases. The increase in noise stress is only exceeded by the increase in general dislike of traffic congestion when travelling at weekends and on holiday - from 48 % (1984) to 58 % (1987). Men (66 %) are particularly affected by this.

Finding no peace after the stress

Although Germans are working less, they are finding it more difficult to manage themselves and their free time. At the same time, they increasingly perceive social obligations as a burden. 56 % of the population already regard shopping for presents as stressful and 54 % feel under pressure if they are unable to pursue their personal leisure activities because they „have to be considerate of others“. This tendency towards individualisation with clear traits of leisure time egotism is particularly pronounced among 14 to 17-year-olds (54 %) - and least pronounced among the over-60s (25 %).

At the same time, the BAT study shows the limits of individualisation: freed from the stress of contact, every third German citizen ends up getting on their own nerves, but on the other hand cannot bear to „be alone with themselves in complete silence“. Once again, they long to have to do something they don't really feel like doing.