Escaping the hustle of everyday life and relaxing on a leisurely getaway is one of the best parts of traveling for some of us. But it turns out, a lot of people actually struggle to unwind. According to new research, for many, the hardest thing to do on vacation is absolutely nothing.
A new survey of 2-thousand U.S. adults who’ve traveled in the past year finds that more than half (55%) admit they don’t know how to just “do nothing.”
- Another 56% find doing nothing difficult to do, even on vacation and 48% say they’d even feel guilty if they did nothing on vacation.
- So, what’s keeping them from enjoying some blissful, lazy downtime? Blame the “busy effect.”
- We’re so used to being busy all the time, it’s hard to turn it off.
- The average person says “I’m busy” nearly 300 times a year and 30% say it almost daily.
- While 53% use the phrase when they actually have limited time, 37% say it’s just easier than saying “no.” And 35% use “I’m busy” when they’re avoiding doing something else.
- Even when they’re not busy, their minds are still focusing on money troubles (51%) and to-do lists (51%).
- Nearly half admit they tend to feel stressed (49%) and guilty (46%) when not actively busy because they think they’re forgetting something.⠀
- One in six confess they can’t remember the last time they cleared their mind, but half (49%) would love to do that on vacation.
- Respondents say a vacation feels like a true escape when it comes with scenic views (45%), fresh air (42%), not having to worry about what to do next (35%), clear or blue waters (34%) and being near the beach (34%).
- When they actually embrace doing nothing on vacation, it leaves travelers feeling like they got a break (88%), a change in their routine (86%), and to recharge their energy levels (86%).
- A solid “do nothing” getaway delivers positive lingering effects, including feeling satisfied after their trip (84%) and less travel-related stress (79%).
Source: Talker