Escape the rate race with Keycamp

With a new survey from self catering specialist Keycamp revealing that Britain is turning into a nation of ‘battery workers’, with 70% of workers feeling stressed and almost half feeling compelled to work more than nine to five, holidays have never been as important.

The poll, of over 1,300 adults, shows that 1 in 10 Brits feel like they’re constantly in work mode and are spending more hours than ever before cooped up behind their desks and seeing less of their families. And little wonder, almost half now work more than the average nine to five, with some clocking up over 56 hours on a regular basis. Worse still, 1 in 20 parents even admit to not seeing their children at all during the working week because the kids are in bed when they’re leaving and arriving home.

According to the survey, 25% confess that their holiday is the only time of year they feel relaxed and Keycamp is warning against the potential of ‘lost’ holidays, when stressed workers fail to make the necessary transition between busy work mode and the freedom of time off.

The poll reveals 1 in 5 admit to finding it difficult to adjust to the change in routine that a break brings, with up to 45% more likely to suffer from minor aches and ailments in the first few days of a holiday before it properly ‘kicks in’ and even over a weekend, when workers take their foot off the pedal. These reports of ‘leisure sickness’ are particularly high given that just 3% of our Dutch counterparts suffer similar side effects. (see editors notes for further details)*

The family break can also be compromised by parents who feel compelled to think about work while away. 15% have to interrupt their holiday to respond to at least one call from the office, while 6% insist on packing the laptop to check on work emails and 1 in 20 keep up to date on office antics by sneaking crafty looks at their Blackberry.

Dave McKenna, head of sales and marketing at Keycamp, comments: “Never has the phrase ‘work hard, play hard’ had more resonance. Brits are working longer hours than ever before and need to make sure that they’re getting the most from their time off.

“Last year we seemed to be inundated with calls and emails very early in the January as people got back to work. It has to be an important factor for the ‘battery worker’, to land a great holiday so early, plus it gives them something to look forward to and enough time to find some great activities to do while they’re away.”

Leading psychologist Mo Shapiro adds: “The long-hours culture is having a real negative impact on leisure time and after giving so much to our employers during the rest of the year, we need to work hard to reclaim our holidays and make sure we’re booking a break that will provide us with the right level of stimulation and encourage the family to interact more together.”

Offering complete freedom from routine and some great opportunities for the family to have fun together, Keycamp’s ‘free range’ holidays provide the perfect antidote to ‘battery worker syndrome’.

Sandra Johnson, a full time working mum with two boys aged 10 and 13 says she finds it hard to switch off on holiday: “There is so much to do at work before I go on holiday, let alone pack and prepare for the time away, that it does take me a couple of days to settle into a more relaxed pace.

“We have been on a Keycamp holiday many times and almost the minute we arrive my shoulders drop. As a family we start to explore our surroundings and make plans for what we’ll do for the following few days. As it’s in a natural setting – in woodland or near a beach, this is part of the relaxation. We all then head for the pool complex for a well earned splash that has us laughing within minutes – what a great way to unwind!”

Keycamp offers access to over a hundred of the finest parcs across nine European countries and the USA, all boasting stylish mobile home, chalet, tent and apartment accommodation. A selection of magical tree houses, plus motorhomes in both Europe and the USA are also available.

Each parc provides a host of facilities including swimming pool complexes and activities such as cycling, football and even treetop adventure courses, golf and quad biking at selected parcs. Many parcs also offer Keycamp’s Fun Station children’s clubs, which give mum and dad a break and encourage kids to make friends.

Want to escape the rat race? Then why not opt for a week at Saint Avit Loisirs at Le Bugue in the Dordogne, where first rate facilities set in glorious rolling countryside, with the rivers Dordogne and Vezere only minutes away, will melt work worries away.

For the kids, and parents brave enough to give it a whirl, there’s the fabulous Action Station – which allows dare devils to try zip wiring, trapeze, abseiling, climbing and archery. There’s also a superb swimming pool complex, complete with waterchute and jacuzzi, plus quad biking, mini golf, crazy golf, bike hire and badminton.

A seven night break during May half term for a family of two adults and up to five children staying in a Supernova mobile home will cost from £496.50, including return Dover-Calais ferry crossings. The price also includes a 10% Early Booking Offer, which is available on breaks booked before 20 January.

To book log on to keycamp.co.uk. Mo Shapiro’s hints and tips on achieving a ‘free range’ holiday can also be downloaded by visiting keycamp.co.uk/relaxedholiday.htm.