Over half of parents make life changing decisions on holidays

Starting a new career, proposing marriage and deciding to pen a novel are among a list of life-changing decisions that people have made while on holiday, a new study has revealed.

Researchers surveyed holiday makers and found getting away from it all eases stress for over half of respondents, leading the average adult to having made TWO major decisions while away on their holibobs. According to the study by online travel agent, Travel Republic, nearly half of those surveyed said that their annual holiday is the only chance they get to reassess their life, with 55% of parents using family holidays as a time to make life changing decisions. In fact, the typical adult will spend a staggering SIX hours of their holiday dedicated to mulling over their career plans, love life and living arrangements. A third said not having the stress of work makes it easier to think and 34% said a holiday enabled them to talk to their family and friends at length. One in five of those surveyed said their friends and family are always more likely to open up to them when they are on holiday. Other popular decisions to make when abroad included planning an extreme diet or exercise plan, starting a family and getting a tattoo. Some rather unique decisions included purchasing a mobility scooter, applying for a PhD, and (for some brave holidaymakers) saying "I love you" for the first time. And with decisions made, the majority of respondents (95%) said their life changes were the right decision. Some more drastic conclusions adults have come to on holiday are to start a business or, conversely, take early retirement. More creative types have decided to start a blog, and the adventurous have committed to completing a new challenge or partaking in an extreme sport, like bungee jumping or sky diving. A tactical 13% said they have waited until a holiday to start a difficult conversation which needed to be handled delicately. A spokesperson for Travel Republic, who carried out the study of 1,000 holiday-makers, said:

"We live busy, stressful lives and this research has shown the importance of holidays as a time to really reflect on the things that are important in life. Not having to face the daily grind of work, the commute and domestic life can relieve the stress that help us to be more relaxed and open to deeper conversations. And it is great to see that by having the time to talk and disconnect from everyday life, these major decisions being made whilst on holiday are having a positive impact."

More than one in twenty adults have been in such a quandary regarding an aspect of their life they booked a holiday purely to ponder what to do for the best. Nearly two thirds of those studied said a relaxing, beach holiday was the best type of break to contemplate life issues - although 18% felt a city break was preferable. Spain came top of in the list of international destinations we are most likely to reach to some major decisions, followed by the USA, Italy and Greece. Our own shores also made the top 20 (just), coming in at number 19. The 20 most common decisions people make on holidays 1. To move house 2. Renovate a house 3. To start a family 4. To start a new career 5. To go on an extreme diet or exercise plan 6. To quit a job 7. To move in with a partner 8. To resolve day-to-day relationship issues 9. To have another baby 10. To get a tattoo 11. To start a business 12. To achieve a lifelong goal or challenge 13. To leave an unhappy relationship 14. To emigrate or move to another part of the country 15. To re-train for a new career 16. To take early retirement 17. To propose 18. To resolve a long-standing family rift 19. To write a book 20. To start a blog The top 20 international destinations to reach a life-changing decision 1. Spain 2. USA 3. Italy 4. Greece 5. France 6. Portugal 7. Thailand 8. Germany 9. Australia 10. Caribbean 11. Turkey 12. Maldives 13. Mexico 14. Canada 15. Africa 16. Japan 17. Dubai 18. Switzerland 19. Ireland 20. New Zealand Join the conversation on Twitter @HerFamilydotie