Kiddipedia
Inspired by fun, relaxation and discovery, new research* has revealed what many Aussies have long suspected; we feel like different people when on holiday. In fact, two thirds of Australians (64%) and three quarters of parents (74%) say they prefer their holiday self over their regular self. The shocking part? More than half of us (56%) and 72% of parents think our families prefer our holiday-selves too.
When it comes to which holiday habits Aussies wish they embraced when back at home, limiting screen time was a common desire with 42% saying they want to put down their phones or laptops. This was closely followed by getting more sleep (41%), more exercise (40%) and catching up with friends and family over a meal (35%). Additionally, half of parents (49%) say they have more patience for their kids when on holiday than they do at home, reflecting the positive benefits a holiday can have on our mood and a happy household.
- As we all know, holidays are pleasurable and so we benefit by experiencing more positive emotions. It feels good to get away, to be in a different environment and to do different things. In fact, recent research conducted by Carnival Cruise Line, suggests that 70% of Australians (and 80% of parents) feel happier when on holidays
- In addition to the positive emotions we enjoy when on holiday, planning a holiday also provides us with anticipatory joy; happiness in advance of the event that we’re looking forward to is a valuable and sometimes underutilised positive emotion.
- And further, holidays also provide us with mental health benefits after the fact; via what psychologists call positive reminiscing. The most common example of this is looking at photos and remembering the good times had. People who engage in this practice regularly report enjoying more happiness more often
- Part of the reason we enjoy holidays is that when we’re away we actually become different and, in some ways, better people. This partly comes from breaking our routines and trying new things. According to Carnival’s research, 64% of Australians (and 74% of parents) actually prefer their holiday self over their regular self.
- And more so, it’s not just that we like our holiday selves better but our families like us better too! More than half of Australians believe their families prefer their holiday alter-ego more than their normal, regular self which provides food for thought. There’s no reason why we can’t be this “better self” more often, even during our “normal” daily lives
- One of the most significant ways we benefit from holidays is because we’re more relaxed. In fact, Carnival’s research discovered that around 80% of Australians report being more relaxed when away and not working. What this means is that if we can practice some of the habits we enact while away, when we’re back home, we could also enjoy more calm and more positive emotions throughout the regular year
- Related to this and very important for our mental health, is the fact we tend to sleep better when more relaxed and when on holidays. This fact has been noted by about one third of Australians and highlights what we know from other research which is that sleep is vitally important for health and wellbeing, including happiness. So prioritise sleep and try to reduce or eliminate any or all bad habits that interfere with good slumber (like doomscrolling late at night or working too late!)
- Even more so, almost 80% of parents report feeling more relaxed when on holidays so for parents, the mental health benefits are even more significant, especially when they’re satisfied that their kids are appropriately entertained. It might sound obvious but it’s important to remember that more often than not, a happy and relaxed parent is a better parent
- Another benefit that typically comes when we’re on holidays is that we spend less time staring at screens. Carnival’s research has revealed that 47% of Australians feel happier on holidays, specifically because they work on their phone or laptop less. There’s no doubt that work is an important part of our lives, in many ways, but there’s also no doubt that to perform at work we need to be healthy and happy; and in addition, we need to remember that we’re more than just our work
- And taking all this together, our mental health tends to receive a boost when we’re on holidays because we’re more patient and tolerant. About half of all Australians say this and as such, there tend to be fewer family conflicts and arguments. So look at what helps you relax and stay patient while you’re on holidays and then, do all you can to bring this home with you and keep it up throughout the normal, working months
*Research conducted in October 2020 by Lonergan on behalf of Carnival Cruise Line, on a sample of over 1200 Australians, including 517 parents.
