Make the most of time off

The length of time we spend on holiday has been gradually decreasing. In 2019, the average length of a holiday was 8.7 days; short breaks are getting more popular, as are staycations. While you might think that the longer you’re away for, the more relaxed you’ll feel afterwards, research suggests it’s as much about what you do on holiday that makes you feel satisfied and rejuvenated, as how long you’re away for. Obviously, different people find different kinds of holidays relaxing but, as a rule, if you make your days varied and include some different experiences, you’ll stay interested and engaged as you adapt to new environments. In his book Four Thousand Weeks (Vintage, £9.99), Oliver Burkeman explains how the reason that time seems to speed up as we age is that we have fewer new experiences. ‘Life becomes more about routine – we stick to the same few places, the same few relationships and jobs. The novelty tapers off.’ New experiences are important but not always practical – if you have a job and kids or parents to care for, you can’t keep moving house or going on holiday. ‘The alternative is to find novelty in the life you have,’ says Burkeman.

Next steps

● At home: ‘Go on unplanned walks, take a different route to work, take up photography or nature drawing, or keep a journal. Play I Spy with a child – anything that draws your attention more fully to what you’re doing in the present,’ says Burkeman.

● On holiday: If you like going back to the same places, that’s fine – familiarity can be really relaxing. But try to include some new experiences, too, to challenge your brain and help create new memories.