Brits admit to being unable to switch off on holiday

ONE in four holidaymakers struggle to ‘switch off’ from everyday life while they’re away, according to research.

A poll of 2,000 adults who travel found nearly half (47 per cent) take two or more days to truly relax and enter ‘holiday mode’.

Worrying about ‘everyday life’ (39 per cent) is the top distraction, followed by the work they’ve left behind (30 per cent) and work they’ll be heading back to post-holiday (29 per cent).

While more than one in 10 (11 per cent) even experience pet separation anxiety.

When it comes to reaching ‘relax mode’ once reaching their destination, a fifth (21 per cent) say listening to music helps.

To give holidaymakers the chance to unwind, hotel chain, Hilton, has partnered with psychologist and ASMR expert, Dr Giulia Poerio, to create ‘Sounds of the Stay’ – a brand new ASMR track designed to help people unwind whilst travelling to their destination and make the most of their trip.

Dr Giulia Poerio said: “The impact of everyday sounds on our levels of relaxation and wellbeing is something of increasing research interest, especially over the past few years.

“It makes sense then that sounds we commonly associate with holidays might help bring people closer to those sought after feelings of rest and relaxation even before people arrive at their getaway destinations.”

Gentle, crashing waves (41 per cent), the hum of an aeroplane pre take-off (24 per cent) and the crunch of sand underfoot (24 per cent) topped the list of relaxing aids.

And a friendly greeting when arriving at their hotel generally works wonders for 21 per cent.

While many do struggle to switch off straight away, 30 per cent feel they’ve officially started their trip whilst travelling to their destination.

Putting on an email ‘out of office’ notification (16 per cent), finishing their packing (12 per cent) and arriving at the hotel (nine per cent) were also markers of a trip beginning. 

When on holiday, the activities that help travellers switch off include feeling the sun on their skin (48 per cent), enjoying leisurely mealtimes (44 per cent), spending the day by the sea (43 per cent) and being looked after by hotel staff (22 per cent).

A digital detox could also be key in aiding relaxation as reading a book (37 per cent), not setting an alarm (32 per cent) and reducing social media usage (15 per cent) also ranked highly in the list of ‘switching off’ activities.

While it may take a few days for some people to settle into their holiday, the post-holiday ‘glow’ begins to fade after an average of thee days – disappearing completely a week (seven days) after returning home.

But looking back at holiday photos (36 per cent), eating food from your holiday destination (23 per cent) and finishing a holiday read (22 per cent) could be the key to postponing the post-holiday blues, according to the OnePoll research.

And a fifth (21 per cent) reveal listening to music which reminds them of their stay also helps.

Patricia Page-Champion, senior vice president and global commercial director, Hilton, added: “Having spent most of my career in and around hotels, I’ve always loved the look on people’s faces when they walk through the door – the happy feeling of a holiday about to begin.

“A great stay offers the opportunity to pause, reflect and reconnect, and through this track we wanted to help people get that holiday feeling even before their holiday begins.”

‘Sounds of the Stay’ has been produced at the optimal length, pitch and frequency scientifically proven to help people relax – featuring noises such as footsteps across crunchy sand, the rolling wheels of suitcases and crisp hotel sheets when climbing into bed. 

To encourage optimal relaxation, Dr Poeriol also recommends listening to the track while lying down, feeling the sun on your skin, and to help facilitate those holiday daydreams.