For almost half (46%) of the respondents from the UK, being on holiday is where they imagine themselves in their daydreams. According to the data gathered, the average Brit spends three hours a day daydreaming and planning holidays.

The research, conducted by Travel Republic, found that the most likely time to daydream is 11:20 am and eight out of ten (82%) admit to letting their mind wander for up to three hours of each working day, around 780 hours a year.

“Imagining themselves elsewhere”

Frank Rejwan, managing director at Travel Republic, said: “People escape from everyday stresses when on holiday and it seems that even imagining themselves elsewhere offers some of the same pleasure.

“81% of our holiday bookings happen after midday, so it is no surprise that people are imagining themselves relaxing in the sunshine by 11.20 am.”

Bosses beware

Daydreaming can take place throughout the day, as over a third (36%) of adults say they indulge in daydreaming at their desks and almost a quarter (24%) have lost focus in meetings. Some daydreams have become so tempting, that almost half (46%) of Brits have imagined quitting their job to fulfil their dreams.

And when Brits are not daydreaming, even less time is being spent on work, as almost one quarter (23%) of working adults confess to having booked their dream holidays during work time, with over one-third of these (37%) spending an hour or more each day researching the perfect holiday.

“Daydreaming is psychologically beneficial”

Emma Kenny, TV psychologist, presenter and writer, said: “Daydreaming is psychologically beneficial because it often allows us to return to happy memories or provides visions of possibility, which make us feel hopeful. Knowing that you work so that you can go on holiday gives reason to your workday.”

Nearly half of holiday daydreamers imagine lying on a beach (46%), walking along it (43%), sunbathing by a pool (40%) or simply taking in a beautiful view (36%). The most popular daydream destinations to escape to are the USA (32%), followed by the Caribbean (29%), Spain (26%) and Italy (26%).