Happy Holidays: Brits continue with holiday plans to boost mental health

Last updated on December 15th, 2022 at 12:46 pm

Holidays play an integral role in maintaining good mental health and wellbeing – with 74% of people citing ‘taking a holiday’ as a form of essential self-care, according to new research from specialist Travel Insurance provider, AllClear.

Mental health week is an important time to take stock of the complex combination of cognitive, behavioural, and emotional factors that collectively determine our given state of wellbeing. With one in four people experiencing a mental health problem of some kind each year in England[1], the holiday is now seen by many as one of the essential remedies in restoring the wellbeing balance.

Holidays seen as a remedy to rising mental health problems

The research found that 70% of people viewed a holiday as an important part of maintaining and restoring good mental health. A break from the day-to-day responsibilities of life has been recognised as more than just good fun – allowing time for leisure and recreation are some of the invaluable wellbeing benefits of taking a holiday. Furthermore, 28% of people said that their mental wellbeing was a contributing factor behind the decision to travel.

Today, in the midst of the cost-of-living crisis, mental health concerns are on the rise and 29% of people surveyed have said the crisis is already having a negative impact on their wellbeing.

Persevering with holidays despite cost-of-living crisis

Despite challenging economic times, almost two thirds (62%) of people have said they will continue with their travel as planned, despite the cost-of-living crisis, and a further 17% intend to travel more than they initially planned at the start of the year.

While keeping the all-important holiday on the agenda, people are looking at ways of saving money at home and while they are away.

At home, the first thing to go is clothes shopping – almost half (47%) of people are looking to make cut backs here, while 44% will be reducing spending on tech toys and gadgets and 41% will be cutting back on meals out.

While at their destination, people are taking steps to keep overall costs down, allowing for the holiday to remain a priority in the budget. Spending on holiday specific clothes will be reduced (32%), 28% will relax the number of activities they enjoy while on holiday and 25% will reduce spend on the choice of destinations themselves.

Chris Rolland, Chief Executive of AllClear Travel, said: “Here in the UK many of us live very busy lives. The holiday has, for a long time, served as an important period of leisure and recreation away from the responsibilities of day-to-day life.

“Mental health week is an important time to check in with ourselves and others. To take stock of our wellbeing and the ways we live our lives. It is vital we all make time for activities, such as holidays, that enhance our wellbeing.”

Based on AllClear’s Mental Health and well being survey, July 2022. 389 respondents.

[1] https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/statistics-and-facts-about-mental-health/how-common-are-mental-health-problems/