Despite a poll showing that the UK spends an average of £1,900 going on holiday, nearly a quarter of people (23%) return back home more stressed than when they started. Additionally, one in four Brits (26%) take two to three days to unwind while around four in ten (38%) feel rundown or ill while away – denting the notion holidays are entirely relaxing.
In fact, it appears that vacations are laden with worry, according to the Nationwide Building Society poll* as more than a third (34%) of people claim they fret about being covered for things like travel insurance if plans go awry. While four in ten (39%) get fidgety about getting to the airport on time and forgetting something (40%).
According to Nationwide’s poll, which surveyed more than 2,000 UK adults, the average holiday taken lasts for nine days. And while more than a quarter (26%) of people take two to three days to truly unwind on holiday, one in ten (10%) take between three to four days to relax – equating to nearly half of their holiday, or the equivalent of a long weekend away.
The top worries highlighted in the survey were:
|
Going on holiday |
During holiday |
Coming back from holiday
|
|||
|
Forgetting something |
40% |
Having enough money |
29% |
Getting delayed |
32% |
|
Missing flight, ferry, train |
39% |
Overspending on holiday |
24% |
Coming back to reality |
32% |
|
Being covered if something goes wrong e.g. travel insurance |
34% |
Whereabouts of money/ bank cards |
23% |
Lost luggage |
29% |
In addition, the figures show that two in five (38%) holidaymakers claim they’ve been ill or felt rundown once they reach their destination. This is perhaps unsurprising as the survey shows that many people stay ‘switched on’ to life at home while on vacation - two thirds of holidaymakers (80%) use their mobile phone while away; while one third (33%) use them every day and the average person spends an hour a day glued to their phone. Worryingly, over one in seven (15%) still take work calls while on their break.
Nationwide’s research also reveals a significant difference between men and women. A fifth of men (20%) claimed nothing worried them before a holiday, compared to just nine per cent of women. The women surveyed also fretted far more about packing bags, forgetting something, coming back to reality and washing and unpacking than men** (See notes to editors for full gender breakdown).
Phil Smith, Nationwide’s Head of Current Accounts, said: “It is perhaps unsurprising that holidays can be a source of stress, with people fretting over missing their flights, the prospect of delays, having sufficient money and being fully covered if things don’t go to plan. We would always recommend making sure you’ve got all bases covered by taking a good quality travel insurance on its own or as part of a current account, such as Nationwide’s FlexPlus account. That way, if something does go wrong, you’ll have one less thing to worry about, freeing up more time and money to enjoy your summer getaway.”
Renowned neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis, Chairman of the research consultancy Mindlab, international, said: “Holiday stresses often stem from unrealistic expectations of a completely care-free vacation. Worries don't disappear just because you are in the sun; in fact when the mind doesn't have the usual day-to-day challenges and demands to cope with, it typically finds other things to occupy it, such as money worries.
“Taking up activities, learning a few phrases in the local language and exploring the culture are just a few ways to keep your mind busy, helping you un-wind more quickly. You can also keep money worries at bay by taking sensible precautions before leaving home, such as remembering to book your travel insurance and making sure you carry cards that charge no commission when abroad.”
Nationwide’s FlexPlus current account, which is ranked as the UK’s best packaged account***, offers a range of benefits including worldwide family travel insurance, commission-free cash withdrawals abroad, worldwide family phone insurance and UK and European breakdown cover, all for just £10 a month.
- Ends -
Media Information:
Rachel Jensen, rachel.jensen@nationwide.co.uk, 01793 652967
Eden Black, eden.black@nationwide.co.uk, 020 7261 6217
Notes to Editors:
*One Poll research: total sample size was 2,000 UK adults who have been on holiday abroad. The survey ran from the 09/07/2015 to 13/07/2015.
**Top worries before, during and after a holiday by gender:
|
Women |
Men |
Difference |
|
|
Forgetting something |
48% |
30% |
18% |
|
Packing for the family |
28% |
11% |
17% |
|
Coming back to reality |
39% |
24% |
15% |
|
Family getting sunburnt |
24% |
9% |
15% |
|
Washing and unpacking |
27% |
14% |
13% |
|
Overspending |
29% |
19% |
10% |
*** As awarded by Moneynet 2014
FlexPlus Key Information
Full information can be found here
Account Eligibility
- FlexPlus is open to new and existing customers aged 18 years and over
- Single and joint account options available
Account Fee
FlexPlus has a £10 per month fee
Credit Interest
- 3% AER (2.96% gross p.a) on credit balances up to £2,500
- Credit interest is not payable on balances over £2,500
Benefits
- Worldwide Family Travel Insurance
- Commission-Free Cash Withdrawals Abroad
- Worldwide Family Mobile Phone Insurance
- UK and European Breakdown Cover
- Extended Warranty Cover
- ID Theft Assistance
- Worldwide Card Emergency Assistance
Exclusions and limitations apply to all FlexPlus insurance
About Nationwide Building Society
Nationwide is the world's largest building society as well as one of the largest savings providers and a top-three provider of mortgages in the UK. It is also a major provider of current accounts, credit cards, ISAs and personal loans. Nationwide has around 15 million customers.
Customers can manage their finances in a branch, via the mobile app, on the telephone, internet and post. The Society has around 17,000 employees. Nationwide's head office is in Swindon with administration centres based in Northampton, Bournemouth and Dunfermline. The Society also has a number of call centres across the UK.
