Despite the romantic Shirley Valentine myth, nearly three quarters of Brits have never made a life changing decision on holiday, according to a recent survey carried out by the UK’s leading rentals site HomeAway.co.uk.
When it comes to finding happiness on holiday, our needs are very simple – most people would like to empty their minds, relax and escape from the rat race for a few weeks of the year. The biggest decision people really want to make on holiday is deciding what to have for lunch or whether to spend time by the pool or beach, the survey revealed.
Nearly 60% of respondents admitted that pure and simple relaxation by a pool or on a beach is the most important factor for a happy holiday and 40% said spending time with family and friends was an essential ingredient. Three quarters of people agree that good weather is vital to keep the happiness endorphins high on holiday.
Only 8% said going on holiday with a celebrity would make them happy and just 6.4% are interested in taxing their brains by learning a new skill during their precious time away.
But perhaps most revealing of all is that just under 75 per cent of respondents in the survey have never made a life changing decision whilst on holiday.
Erica Chang, Regional Director of HomeAway.co.uk says, “We were really interested to see that the most simple pleasures in life such as relaxing and spending quality time with family and friends is the most important ingredient to happiness on holiday. It goes to show that with today’s hectic lifestyles, enjoying a calmer life without having to think too hard for a few weeks of the year with our nearest and dearest is more important than ever before.”
Harley Street hypnotherapist Andrew Cunningham believes the results reveal people’s general attitude to making decisions in everyday life.
“When we relax on holiday we let everything go, including the desire to make decisions. We go to another world where the conscious mind is suspended and is replaced by basic needs and desires – warmth, relaxation and being with people we love,” he explains.
“Perhaps we do make decisions on holiday but of the unconscious kind. Not life changing but life affirming decisions,” he concludes.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
