Revealed! The formula for the perfect holiday

PA

It looks like a mathematical code and nothing like your answer to the ideal holiday but the formula for the perfect getaway has been revealed to the Daily Mail as: ((N(d)μ(d)-40)(r))/(σ(b)((C(d)-μ(d) )N(d)-41/40 c) ) (41c.a)/〖40〗^2

Mind-boggling? This mixture of letters and numbers was identified by Dr David Lewis, a psychologist at research consultancy Mindlab International based at the University of Sussex.

The study, commissioned by Holiday Inn, found that the perfect holiday is formed by a combinations of factors including the duration, cost of the break and issues like boredom, relaxation and anxiety playing a role.

The formula suggests that the holiday that gives us maximum relaxation with minimum stress is a three-day escape that's no further than four hours away from home.

'Research shows that many people find breaks abroad so stressful that they return home more worn out than perked up,' Dr Lewis explained.

'This helps to explain the growing popularity of shorter breaks in the UK, with many holidaymakers finding that taking several long weekend breaks is more rewarding.'

The elements assessed as part of the formula include N(d), the number of possible holidays of length 'd' that can be taken in a year, and C(d), the cost of the holiday depending on the number of days taken.

a(d) relates to the anxiety levels you might feel about a certain break, such as worrying about taking time off work and tasks piling up while you're away, with 'd' the duration of the escape.

r(d) refers to the level of relaxation you're likely to achieve while away from home against the length of the holiday.

Dr Lewis added: 'The traditional post-holiday slump can cause even more stress for people returning to the workplace to a backlog of work requiring their urgent attention.'

'Holidays are intended to recharge our batteries and help us come back refreshed and reinvigorated.

'But given the over-indulgences that can be made on holiday – from too much sun to too much food and drink – the longer the holiday lasts the greater the potential risk to one's health.'

A survey of 1000 adults by Holiday Inn revealed that Edinburgh was the most popular British city for a long weekend, followed by London and York.

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