If you have caught the travel bug, your annual holidays probably rate exceptionally high on your list of priorities.  A time to get away from everyday life, travel to far-flung corners of the world, meet new people, try new foods, and make new friends, holidays are a wonderful form of escapism, and as such, 84 per cent of holidaymakers believe that their trips abroad are worth more than the money they spend on them.

A recent survey carried out by the UK’s largest healthcare charity Nuffield Health and a leading travel agency, found that the majority of us use our holidays as an opportunity to break out of routine, reconnect with loved ones, and relax and recharge our batteries, indicating that holidays can improve our mental and physical wellbeing, and give us a fresh perspective on our lives.

Thirty-two per cent of the 2,845 adults questioned claimed that “every pound they spend on a holiday is worth 2-4 times more to them in terms of wellbeing”, while more than a quarter said that their trip away from home is worth 8-10 times more than the amount they paid.

Luxurious beach holidays, it seems, are the order of the day for travelling couples, as half of those who travel with their partner agreed that the most significant benefit of their holiday was the chance to reconnect with their loved one and forget about the hassles of everyday life.

Surprisingly, sixty-seven per cent of those taking part in the holiday survey said it takes up to four days to stop stressing about money, their jobs, and their future when they arrive at their holiday destination,  and so if you really want to take advantage of holiday health benefits, you might want to book at 10-day to 2 week trip!

We often see holidays as a ‘luxury’ rather than a necessity, but  if you are feeling down, stressed, or plain fed-up with everyday life, why not book that exotic holiday you have been dreaming about – it may be better for you than you think!