Pre-holiday tension steals two days from summer trips

Research released today from Norfolkline Ferries has found it takes parents up to two days to relax on holiday as a result of Pre-Holiday Tension, with many admitting the symptoms impact their ability to let go and have fun with the family.

The research, conducted to support the launch of Norfolkline’s campaign for Families Against Boring Holidays, questioned over 5,300 people and uncovered that the number one cause of holiday stress is actually bad weather (44%), as it leaves many parents at a loss when it comes to keeping the children entertained.

Trying to uncover the main causes of PHT and how best parents can avoid the symptoms and maximise stress-free fun on holiday, the research found there were a few common culprits:

- Bursting suitcases and deciding what to take contribute to the number one cause of PHT, packing!
- More than a third (39%) admitted that getting everyone, and everything packed and ready to go causes them to stress out pre-departure
- Work is a major issue for parents with one in six (15%) finding the office wrap up process a key cause of pre-holiday stress
- As people continue to feel the pinch and tighten their purse strings, a quarter of respondents (25%) claim that the cost of activities for the family can lead to unnecessary holiday stress. Despite one in ten parents (10%) admitting that they never play with their children on holiday, 31% of those do try and keep the kids entertained by building sandcastles together.

With ferry travel voted the least stressful form of transport (8%) compared with air travel (44%), Norfolkline Ferries have decided to help parents avoid PHT altogether and have been working with well known psychologist Donna Dawson to compile a list of top tips for parents planning a summer trip this year, as well as creating special buckets and spades for parents heading to a beach this summer.

Top travelling tips to reduce stress, from Psychologist Donna Dawson

1. Packing made easier

Pack to a list for each family member, and put clothes on the bed to see how to combine outfits and save packing space. Leave an open suitcase in each person’s room a week before, so that you can throw things in as you think of them. You can always weed things out at the final pack (much better than rushing around at the last minute looking for required items, as this causes maximum stress!)

2. Entertainment packs for children

A few weeks before your trip, put together a small backpack for each child of things to entertain him/her that is relevant to their age-group: colouring books, paper, coloured pens and pencils, a small notebook or diary, reading books or comics, puzzles, card games, iPods with favourite music, etc. Tell the children that this is what they can dip into if they get bored!

3. Keep your sense of humour

Try and see the funny side of things. Laughter releases ‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain, diminishing stress chemicals in the blood and boosting your immune system. Laughter truly is the best medicine!

If you want more of Donnas’ top tips then visit norfolkline.com.

Psychologist Donna Dawson, says; “The irony is that we take holidays to escape the stress in our lives, but we often find that we have to endure more stress on the way to our holiday destination. This could include wrapping up at work, making travel arrangements, packing, dealing with family members, and doing the actual travelling. Once there, it often takes people a few days to unwind from all this accumulated stress, which cuts into their precious relaxation time.

“Consequently, anything that diminishes pre-holiday stress is to be welcomed. This could include a more leisurely arrival by ferry, where there is more room to move around and stretch out, and where people can relax or entertain themselves as they choose. This means that they arrive at their destination far less stressed, and more ready for an instant switch into ‘holiday mode’.”

Norfolkline General Manager, Chris Newey, comments; “Norfolkline Ferries offer a range of services on board to make the journey more pleasant for parents, from our Little Nippers Play Gym to keep the kids entertained or our Lounge Bar to keep mum and dad happy. Our aim is to help parents relax en route to their destination so they can maximise their time away and minimise the chance of a boring holiday!”

For more information on travelling with Norfolkline Ferries, visit norfolkline.com.