A newly published survey commissioned by Valio Sverige suggests that summer is the season when Swedes feel their healthiest, with strong links between wellbeing, gut health and simple social activities.
According to the consumer survey, conducted by Ipsos, 84% of respondents said they feel well during the summer, compared with 74% in spring and 44% in winter. Around two-thirds (66%) also reported good gut health during the summer, up from 56% in winter.
The findings build on Valio’s long-running research into the relationship between diet, lifestyle and health. This year’s study focuses on summer habits and indicates that time with family and friends, shared meals, relaxation and being outdoors contribute most to both wellbeing and digestive health.
Food remains central to the Swedish summer experience. Grilled food, strawberries and seasonal vegetables topped the list of favourite summer foods, while 40% of respondents chose strawberries with cream as their preferred summer treat. Preferences varied between demographic groups, with younger men favouring barbecues and women more likely to choose berries, fresh produce and lighter meals.
The survey also found that 40% of respondents plan to spend their summer holiday in Sweden, while 38% said their ideal first day of holiday is simply resting and catching up on sleep rather than travelling.
Digital wellbeing also featured prominently. More than half (55%) said they would like to reduce their use of social media during the summer, while one in five reported feeling pressure to present a ”perfect” summer online. Younger women were the group most likely to experience this pressure.
The research was conducted in April 2026 among 1,000 Swedish adults aged 18–79, with a nationally representative sample by gender, age and region.