Counting down to your summer getaway? You're not alone. Around the world, travellers are packing their bags and setting off on well-earned breaks. But we've discovered a universal truth: no matter where you live, leaving for a holiday can trigger "away-from-home anxiety."
Our research reveals that while we physically leave, mentally we often stay tethered to worries about what's happening back at home. To help ease holiday anxiety, we’ve launched the "Ring & Relax Guide" – a collection of expert-backed tips designed to help you truly unwind while you’re away.
The Holiday Paradox: When your mind won’t take a vacation
If you've ever found yourself trying to relax on a beach but find yourself distracted by concerns about home, you're in good company. In the UK, 64% of people admit to worrying about what’s happening at home while they’re on holiday, with home security topping their list of concerns.
And it's not just Brits. This is a truly a global phenomenon. In Mexico, an overwhelming 84% of people worry about things at home when they’re away, while in Spain it's 80%, and 70% in the United States.
For some, these worries begin the moment they step outside their front door. In the UK, 22% of travellers start worrying as soon as they leave their property. In France, it's even higher at 26%, while in Mexico and Canada, 25% and 22% experience immediate anxiety.
"Our research shows that home security is the number one worry stopping Brits from truly unwinding on holiday," said Dave Ward, Managing Director EU and International at Ring. "With a quick tap on your phone, you can literally see that everything's fine back home. It's like having eyes on your property while you're soaking up the sun - giving you one less thing to stress about on your well-deserved break.
Passport? ✔ Sunscreen? ✔ Peace of mind….?
These concerns aren't unfounded. Our research reveals that across the globe, many holidaymakers have experienced problems at their home while away - from break-ins and car damage to missed deliveries - turning dream getaways into nightmares. In the UAE, a striking 59% of residents report having faced such disruptions, followed by Saudi Arabia (50%), and the U.S. (42%).
We're seeing more people taking proactive measures across the world. Some rely on friends, family, or neighbours to check on their home. Others rely on technology: Mexico leads the way with 43% of residents using smart home devices or security cameras, followed closely by the UAE and Saudi Arabia (both at 43%).
Introducing the Ring & Relax Guide
To help tackle these worries head-on, we've created the Ring & Relax Guide, developed with award-winning psychologist Dr. Lalitaa.
The guide is filled with expert-backed techniques to help holidaymakers truly unwind. From creating pre-holiday checklists and practicing grounding exercises to using digital boundaries and visualisation techniques, the Ring & Relax Guide offers practical strategies for leaving worries behind.
One particularly effective technique is to make use of technology. Across all countries, the majority of respondents agreed they'd find it easier to relax if they could check in on their home virtually. In the UK, 69% felt this way, while in Mexico, this number soared to 86%.
With Ring devices offering features like Live View, Two-Way Talk, and Motion Detection, travellers can transform anxious thoughts into "sorted" moments. Instead of playing the "what-if" game, you can simply open your Ring app for instant reassurance.
Ready to reclaim your holiday relaxation? Here are some of Dr. Lalitaa's expert tips from the Ring & Relax Guide:
- Create A Pre-Holiday Checklist: Write down outstanding tasks, worries, or reminders, such as work commitments, household chores, or home security concerns.
- Use ‘Anchor Tools’ To Stay Grounded: Bring your awareness back to the present with rituals and techniques, such as breathwork or journaling.
- Practice Affirmations To Calm Your Worries: Intentionally remind yourself that taking time off is not indulgent, it's necessary. Use affirmations like: “This time is for me. I’ve earned it.”
- Control What You Can, Let Go Of The Rest: Focus your energy on getting ready for your trip, set up your home security, then make peace with what’s out of your control.
- Turn Stress Scenarios Into “Sorted” Moments: Instead of worrying about “what if” scenarios, create clear action plans. For example: “If my parcel is delivered when I’m away, I can speak to the driver with Ring’s Two-Way Talk feature”.
- Use A ‘Digital Boundary’ Technique: Avoid constantly checking your phone, set specific times for digital check-ins and feel secure that Ring Motion Alerts will notify you if movement is detected inside or outside your home.
- Practice Intentional Breathing Techniques: Use simple breathwork practices to regulate your body’s stress response. These techniques are helpful when worries about home creep in.
- Visualise Your Home As Safe: Prime your nervous system for relaxation by mentally picturing your home as secure and protected. You can support this by using Live View on any of your Ring cameras for instant reassurance.
- Affirm Your Autonomy: Remind yourself, “I’m in control of how I spend my energy.” Taking charge means saying yes or no based on what fuels you, not drains you.
- Create A ‘Return Ritual’: Instead of jumping straight back into your usual routine, take a day to gently transition, giving you space to readjust before fully re-engaging.
So pack your sunscreen, your favourite book, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is secure with Ring. Because the best souvenirs from any holiday should be great memories, not stress lines.