Six in ten Britons cannot relax well on holiday | News
New research from Hurtigruten, the leader in iconic Norwegian coastal trips, has revealed that almost 60% of Brits struggle to disconnect during their holidays, despite 74% knowing how important it is to be able to relax when they’re away.
The survey of 2,000 British adults found that not being able to relax on holiday had ruined their trip (45%) and many would go out of their way to trade convenience for a trip to a quieter place (55%) if it meant they could disconnect completely.
Chartered psychologist Dr. Audrey Tang says, “Holidays are associated with helping us live healthier lifestyles, as well as positive physical changes for both body and mind. The slower pace of life during the holidays reminds our nervous systems that it’s okay to rest, which can free up time and space to engage in healthier behaviors, and give your mind space to reset… and even improve your performance when you return to work!”
Can’t turn off the 9-5
Since travelers need one to two days to relax during their vacation (31%), many can’t resist the temptation to check their phone. More than two-thirds (69%) scroll through social media or check messages and emails at least once a day, and almost a third (34%) admit to checking work emails. Shockingly, 13% felt they were expected to respond to work emails during the holidays.
Which helps us disconnect
Relaxing by the sea (56%), spending quality time with family and friends (50%) and exploring the local culture (47%) are the three main types of activities that help us unwind during our holidays.
Beat the crowds
With 52% avoiding destinations they expect to be too busy, and 43% of those most frustrated by overcrowding saying it makes them feel stressed, it’s no surprise that 85% of those who have experienced this say it makes it harder to disconnect. As a result, travelers are turning to destinations like Norway as a place of true escapism.
When asked why Norway could help them disconnect, 50% of Brits pointed to unique experiences such as the fjords and the Northern Lights, while 48% mentioned nature and landscapes. Another 42% said the slower pace of life in Norway would help them unwind, while 37% liked the idea of less hustle and bustle.
“We know it’s easier said than done for many people,” said Hayley Moore, VP Sales & Marketing at Hurtigruten. “This research confirms how much of our work, our phones and the stresses of everyday life we carry with us when we travel. Norway offers something different: space, nature and a slower pace that makes it easier to truly unwind. A Hurtigruten trip is designed to let guests experience that feeling from the moment they step on board.”
For more information about Hurtigruten and Norway coastal tours, visit www.hurtigruten.com.
To help Brits disconnect during their holidays, psychologist Dr Audrey Tang has given her five top tips:
Understandably, it can be difficult to ‘switch off’ – especially when you have big responsibilities, but sometimes the solutions are practical rather than psychological!
If you need some level of work-related contact, manage it!
Please ensure that the person in charge is fully informed, or that your out of office message clearly explains where you are located and any time zone differences that may affect response times. It can also help to set a specific day or time when you check in, and then stick to it, so you can stay fully present and keep work from taking up your break.
Know what kind of ‘shutdown’ you need!
Sometimes it can be difficult to “relax” on vacation because we don’t always know what kind of relaxation we need. We may need physical rest because our bodies are exhausted. In that case, sleeping or a ‘chill day’ is the most effective choice. When we need mental rest, sleep may not come and forcing it can be stressful. Instead, find an activity that engages the brain, such as a day out or a new skill that can take your mind off work while focusing your thoughts elsewhere. Alternatively, you may need social rest, so build in some time for yourself, or perhaps it’s a digital rest – so don’t watch TV or use your screen and embrace being outside in a new environment.
Set a clear intention to be fully present in everything you do while on vacation
When you find yourself thinking about work, actively remind yourself to be fully present with what you are doing and who you are doing it with. You don’t necessarily have to do formal mindfulness exercises, but try to observe what’s happening around you and record the experiences of all your senses. A simple trick is to call yourself back to something you can actively engage with through all your senses when your thoughts wander back to the office!
Admire the beauty and vastness of nature
Humans are biophilic, so we naturally feel better when we see or experience natural properties – wood, slate, stone, water and so on have a calming effect on the body and mind. Additionally, giving yourself permission to pause for a moment and allow the beauty of the stars, the sea, or the rolling hills to flow can bring an additional sense of wonder and grandeur… which in turn helps provide a new perspective when you consider how big the world is and how small we really are. Hopefully this helps us recognize that any problems, at least metaphorically, are probably smaller than we realized.
Keep a buffer day free for your return
People joke about needing a break after a holiday – but having a day to prepare for returning to work can give you some extra breathing room – and prevent work-think from creeping into the last few hours of your break. Use the extra time to get your clothes out of the closet or make lunch so you can start your first morning back right. Resist the temptation to “check in” at the office and remind yourself that if something has been waiting that long, it will probably wait another twelve hours.
