Women are happier, more confident and daring when on holiday.

 

This summer we’ve been asking you how confident you feel on holiday. From feeling the weight of social media and the stereotype of bikini ready bodies in magazines, to the fact some of us just don’t like being in photos at all!

With this in mind, we asked 2,000 women aged between 40 and 55 how they feel once they finally escape it all and if the pressures of social media and society are as prevalent while they’re abroad.

 

 

 

Of course, society has its pressures. In the age of airbrushing 43% of women feel anxious about their bodies, and feel that social media contributes to this negativity. Also, just under two thirds (60%) of women feel the biggest problem they face is having their photo taken. This uncomfortable feeling is common. However, it’s clear from our results just how much a good holiday and a bit of sun and sand can help!

 

Over a third of women adopt a confident 

‘holiday alter-ego’ when abroad

 

It's interesting in how these same women alter their perceptions when abroad. We found that women feel more positive while on holiday. Incredibly, 37% of women adopt a more confident alter ego. After adopting their alter ego, 80% of women said they felt more relaxed, 71% said they were happier, and 41% said they were more confident.

Once women are away from the stresses of home, work, the school run and everything in-between, not to mention escaping the hubby’s football obsession for a little while at least. For women, there’s just more time for themselves, to let their hair and really enjoy themselves.

Over two-thirds of women never feel insecure on holiday

 

For the most part, women generally feel better in hotter climates; a massive 67% said they never feel insecure while on holiday. Older women, it seems, are leading the way for body confidence. In contrast, those in their teens or 20s might be less able to cope with the constant pressure from society and social media. The trend is that we just become more comfortable in our own skins and less susceptible to outside pressures as we get older!

Nearly half of women care less about what people think of them when on holiday

 

Admit it; we sometimes carry a little extra bravado when we’re abroad. Most women we asked do change their behaviours regardless of whether they’re insecure or not. We found that women stay out later and spend time talking to people they’ve only just met, while 42% like to try new, adventurous food and drink.

Over half (56%) wear different clothes compared to how they’d dress at home, and half of all those asked said they don’t carry out their usual routines.  So, what is it about being away from home that lets us feel more comfortable?

Almost half (49%) of these women felt more confident because there’s no risk of bumping into someone they may know, with 46% caring less about others’ perceptions of them when they are abroad. It seems that those favourite restaurants and beaches become a haven where we can laugh, socialise and be carefree.

The women we asked also like to keep their holiday prep simple; almost half (49%) of those surveyed get their hair done and treat themselves to a bit of retail therapy and less than a third (29%) of those jump onto a crash diet.

45% of women are happy to show more skin, feeling more feminine and free to be themselves.

 

 “It’s great to see that women are feeling comfortable and confident in their own skin on holiday despite media presumptions that women spend months dieting and exercising due to worrying about slipping into their bikini. Not only are women not doing that, but they actually feel more attractive on holiday, which is fantastic.”

Rosie Smith, Campaign Manager at bon prix

We found that many women – even those who usually feel pressured – feel much better in themselves when they’re on holiday, where they can just let their hair down away from the pressures of everyday life. When we’re away, we’re free from the timelines of Twitter and Facebook, and we can be ourselves and not have to worry about selfies or our nosey neighbours.

For more information on beach body-confidence and what the key pieces to invest in this summer, please visit our summer style guide.