Unplug and Unwind: Nine out of ten Brits contemplate going 'off the grid'

• Over 8 in 10 (84%) Brits believe their well-being is important, yet 40% say they find day-to-day life stressful
• Being contactable 24/7, maintaining work and social lives, or keeping up on social media profiles are cited as the top reasons for feeling under pressure
• On average, Brits spend more time on their phones than exercising or socialising
• 92% of Brits have thought about getting away from it all by going ‘off the grid’, so Booking.com is presenting the ultimate option to do so, in remote and stunning Sweden - www.booking.com/win/offthegrid

LONDON, UK, 8 March: The topic of well-being is prominent in today’s society, yet it’s still hard to catch a break, as four in 10 (40%) Brits find day-to-day life stressful, according to new research commissioned by Booking.com[1]. Ahead of the National Day of Unplugging (March 9^th – March 10^th)[2], the global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay reveals that a massive 92% of Brit’s have contemplated going ‘off the grid’ for a stint to get away from it all.

When it comes to daily life, over four in 10 (43%) say they feel as though they need to be contactable 24/7 and nearly half (47%) believe they have an over-reliance on technology. From these findings, taking a break from our hectic lives is important to achieve overall balance.

Time for a social media detox?

Technology plays a great role in our lives and it’s clear that there are benefits to being more connected than ever, as well as sometimes taking a step back to unplug and unwind. Six in 10 (60%) Brits say they spend between one and three hours on their phones, whereas only 45% spend the same amount of time exercising. In fact, almost a quarter of those surveyed (23%) spend two or more hours checking social media each day, so it’s possibly no surprise that one in five of us (21%) find the pressure of maintaining our social media profiles hard work. When asked about how to make the most of a trip away, 58% stated they would go on a walk and 48% would spend time with family and friends, whereas a quarter (25%) even stated that they would disconnect from their smartphone or take a self-imposed detox from social media (19%).

Remote getaways are key to going ‘off the grid’

Where would the British public escape to? Nearly one in two (46%) think that enjoying a stay in a relaxing accommodation somewhere remote, would be the best way to take a break from everyday life. Highlighting how we want time to socialise, make the most of our relationships and experience freedom, the top reasons why we are keen to get away from it all are:

Top 5 reasons for Brits to go ‘off the grid’

When looking at what else would help Brits de-stress and unwind, the results suggest that taking an unforgettable trip to a remote and unique property such as a log cabin, castle, treehouse or boat is the new way to completely escape from the real world:

Top 5 destinations to go ‘off the grid’

With so many remote retreats, and much more, available around the globe, Booking.com makes it easier to plan a break away. With the variety of unique properties, there is something available for everyone to enjoy a stress-free holiday at any time.

To truly give people the chance to disconnect and take a break, Booking.com is giving a lucky winner (plus a guest) the chance to go ‘off the grid’ at the amazing tree hotel in remote Sweden. For more details and to enter to win, visit: www.booking.com/win/offthegrid

Pepijn Rijvers, Chief Marketing Officer at Booking.com comments:

“Being connected is part of today’s world, but there is no doubt that the refreshed state of mind which travelling can give us makes it invaluable to unwinding and refuelling. Depending on our individual travel preferences, we can experience a higher level of well-being, a spark in our imagination and inspiration to continue trying something new. At Booking.com, we make it easier than ever to book a tranquil trip away to somewhere fantastic, giving everyone the opportunity to go off the grid whenever - and to wherever - they want.”

-Ends-

[1] Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among 2,219 respondents from Britain aged 18+. Respondent completed an online survey in January 2018.

[2] https://www.nationaldayofunplugging.com/