A new poll of 2,000 adults has found that four in 10 Brits say they find the week before jetting off is the most stressful time of the year – but it doesn’t have to be
According to new research, Brits require a holiday just to recover from the stress of preparing everything for their dream getaway. The week leading up to departure is reportedly the most stressful time of the year for four out of 10 adults.
Despite eagerly anticipating a sunny break all year, 66% find themselves extremely busy in the run-up to the holiday. For 31%, this flurry of activity makes it difficult to get excited as they have too much on their minds. Over half of those surveyed admitted they can only relax and unwind once they’re en route to the airport.
The survey of 2,000 adults revealed that packing bags (29%), cleaning the house (13%), and organising necessary documents (10%) are the top pre-holiday stressors. For this reason, a significant 16% have opted out of a holiday altogether due to the overwhelming amount of preparation required.
Much of this planning aims to prevent mishaps such as returning home to wilted plants because no one watered them or having to shell out for last-minute, expensive train or taxi rides to the airport.
To help combat this, National Express has partnered with travel blogger Vicky Flip Flop, offering ‘getaway hacks’ for a stress-free countdown to your holiday. Vicky Flip Flop, whose real name is Vicky Philpott from Southsea, recommends adopting the right mindset before your journey.
She suggests calming activities like a brief stretching session, a cup of herbal tea, or lighting a soothing candle. She also says setting a travel goal, such as finishing a book you’ve been meaning to read or learning basic phrases in the local language of your destination, can help alleviate travel stress.
She added: “The pressure to create a perfect holiday experience can sometimes overshadow the excitement, leaving people feeling overwhelmed rather than eager.”
Ed Rickard, network director for National Express, commented: “There’s always that nagging worry that something will go wrong when travelling on holiday. [It] can be especially stressful for those travelling with children or large groups.
Nation Express has seen bookings for Easter travel to major UK airports rise by 11.5 % compared to the same time last year. Ed added: “With hundreds of frequent coach services to and from major UK airports, holidaymakers have one less thing to worry about, with our brilliant coach drivers taking them right to the airport terminal door.”
VICKY FLIP FLOP’S TOP 10 PRE-HOLIDAY TIPS:
- Brief your neighbours on plant care: maybe even make a small map of where they all live at home. Putting artificial plants away can also help avoid confusion.
- Organise your fridge like you’re running a restaurant: Give everything a status update. Offer any fresh fruit or vegetables that won’t keep to your neighbours, and pop that half-finished fresh milk in the freezer for when you get back.
- Consider booking an airport transport early: National Express coaches can take you straight to the terminal door.
- De-stress before you leave: do a three-minute stretching session before you leave have your favourite herbal tea, or even light a calming candle to make the prep feel like a calm and purposeful activity, not a rush.
- Give your trip a purpose: Beyond getting to the main destination think about finishing a book or learning how to say a few words in the language of wherever you are traveling to.
- Discuss what you want to get out of the trip: If you are travelling with other people make sure you’re on the same page, and if you’re not – what to do about it.
- Charge everything: Take power banks and cables in your hand luggage so you can give your devices a battery boost before departure.
- Pretend you’re in your favourite film: as you look out of the window on your journey create an epic soundtrack in your head.
- Be intentional as you watch the world pass by: Notice how the landscape changes from your coach window.
- Keep your peace at the airport: As you enter those terminal doors hold onto the calm feelings you’ve just manifested from your relaxing journey.
