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North Wales Live
2 days ago
- North Wales Live
Brits delay tasks 17 times a week: Here are the most commonly postponed ones
Research has revealed that Brits typically dodge 'tedious' tasks 17 times a week, with 32% putting off certain jobs for several months or more. Online shopping returns, bill payments, and DIY are among the tasks they're most likely to delay. A third (33%) avoid tasks because they're 'easily distracted', while nearly half (47%) do so because they find them 'boring'. The study, commissioned by which provides deals on holidays, flights, and hotels, surveyed 2,000 adults and found that 23% have resorted to taking annual leave to catch up on all the tasks they've been avoiding. However, procrastination isn't always a problem - 39% actually prefer to leave things until the last minute, with 14% believing they achieve better results when they do so. Psychologist Emma Kenny, who has partnered with the travel operator, suggests that procrastination can enhance patience and also make people feel more appreciative. She stated: "Procrastination isn't simply about laziness, it's often a coping mechanism for feeling overwhelmed. "But while chronic procrastination can increase stress, the 14% who report better results under pressure may actually be leveraging their natural work rhythms. The key is distinguishing between productive delay and avoidance that creates genuine problems." Among those who ever procrastinate - which accounts for 89% of adults - the study discovered that 50% do so more with personal tasks and 11% do so more with work-related tasks. However, 30% dodge certain jobs in both areas of life - at work and at home. Other tasks they regularly delay include responding to emails, updating their CV, and even going to sleep. Many also hesitate on replying to personal messages like texts and WhatsApps, going to the gym or exercising, and backing up devices or updating software. Emma Kenny commented: "Procrastination is a natural, human trait and whilst it can make people feel guilty, it can also give us space to think clearly about choosing the right moment and to process the idea and holiday plans properly. "When you change the narrative from 'I still haven't done it' to 'I just found an incredible last-minute deal', procrastination becomes a passport to adventure." It also emerged 83% have procrastination tactics they actively employ - including starting jobs at a 'nice round number' like 3pm or 4pm (27%). More than a fifth (22%) will hold off doing anything until it's 'absolutely essential' a task needs to be completed. And 25% will do something else which doesn't need doing - like intensely researching something which could wait - to avoid sitting down to tackle a task. The study, conducted by OnePoll, discovered that 27% consciously choose to procrastinate in order to savour the feeling of anticipation for as long as possible. Zoe Fidler, spokesperson for commented: "It's clear to see that us Brits are a procrasti-nation. Some people even prefer it, saying putting things off helps to build excitement, anticipation, and the threat of a deadline getting tasks done faster. And when it comes to holidays in particular it's never too late to book one - in fact, one in five of our customers book within just 72 hours of departure." TOP 20 MOST COMMON TASKS BRITS AVOID. Cleaning the house or doing laundry. Cleaning the car. Doing life admin (e.g. paying bills renewing passports, budgeting, reviewing or cancelling subscription and membership, reviewing financial statements). Booking appointments (e.g. dentist, GP). DIY/home repairs. Making important phone calls. Responding to emails. Replying to personal messages. Shaving or waxing. Exercising/going to the gym. Going to sleep. Reading a book. Backing up devices or updating software. Getting ready for the day. Updating LinkedIn or CV. Sending back online shopping returns. Buying something on sale hoping it will get discounted even more. Buying holiday outfits. Buying new swim wear or underwear. Booking vaccination appointments.
Scottish Sun
13-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Only the savviest travellers can spot all 10 getaway essentials in this busy beach brain teaser – can you find them?
Scroll down if you are struggling to spot all of the beach gear BEACH PLEASE Only the savviest travellers can spot all 10 getaway essentials in this busy beach brain teaser – can you find them? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH summer just about cresting our horizons, how can you resist a sunny seaside spot-the-items brainteaser. Remembering everything you need is not easy when jetting off – but this puzzle promises to get you into the right frame of mind. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Only the savviest travellers can spot all 10 getaway essentials in this busy beach brain teaser – can you find them? Credit: Hidden away in this busy beach scene are 10 items many of us will need in order to have fun abroad by the sea. Can you find a sun hat, a pair of sunglasses, sun cream, flip flops, beach ball, a plane ticket, a fan, a book, a bikini, and a camera. The brainteaser was commissioned by holiday package and travel tech platform, which also carried out research of 2,000 travellers to reveal the top 30 things they do before every getaway. These include getting their haircut especially for the trip, obsessively checking the weather, and arranging plant care. Doing a big clothes wash, packing lots of snacks 'just in case', and changing the bedsheets so they're fresh to return home to are also key activities prior to do a break. As are packing, unpacking, and packing again, buying new underwear, and worrying multiple times they've successfully packed their passport. The poll also found those who do any prep ahead of a getaway will spend an average of seven-and-a-half hours doing so. And 34 per cent say they actively enjoy it, with half have even taken time off work especially to get everything in order ahead of a much-deserved break. Taking annual leave is more common in younger respondents with 77 per cent of Gen Zs and Millennials having done this. In contrast, just 49 per cent of Gen X, 21 per cent of Boomers, and eight per cent of those from the Silent generation have taken time away from their jobs to get everything in order. I travelled to the hidden gem US region that's better than Florida it's filled bucket list tourist activities But 19 per cent don't factor in the cost of getting ready for a holiday when planning their travel budget. Spokesperson Zoe Fidler said: 'Between work, childcare, DIY projects and endless life admin, actually booking a holiday often ends up as a last-minute task – bringing with it the stress of wondering if you've missed out on the best deals. 'Then comes the 'holiday prep' itself – from hair appointments to packing enough snacks to keep the kids happy.' The study also revealed loading tablets or e-readers with movies, books, games or podcasts, cleaning out the fridge, purchasing travel-sized toiletries and weighing suitcases several times are also key activities for many. It also emerged 54 per cent consider themselves to be someone who gets everything sorted well in advance of a trip. With those who do prepare spending a total of seven-and-a-half hours doing so. Millennials spend the longest prepping for a getaway at nine hours and 14 minutes on average, but the Silent generation spend the least – five hours and 20 minutes. While women take seven hours and 57 minutes getting ready, with men spending six hours and 59 minutes to prep. The research, commissioned via OnePoll, also found 25 per cent tend to overpack 'massively' and 21 per cent leave at least some of their pre-getaway prep to the last minute. But 23 per cent selflessly put the needs of others ahead of their own when getting ready for a break. spokesperson added: 'We know that preparing for a holiday can be time consuming, stressful and expensive - but worth it in the end, which is why we commissioned this research to fully understand what Brits need from their summer getaway. 'We firmly believe it's never too late to book a getaway and our booking data shows this happens more often than you think.' TOP 30 HOLIDAY PREPARATION TASKS: 1. Secure travel documents in one place 2. Purchase sun cream/after sun 3. Exchange currency or order travel money 4. Check passport/visa requirements and renew if needed 5. Pack any prescription medication and travel health kit 6. Make a packing checklist 7. Clean out the fridge 8. Secure the house 9. Get your hair cut 10. Read reviews 11. Clean the whole house 12. Buy medicines/tablets 13. Charge every possible device and pack two portable chargers 14. Arrange pet care 15. Buy travel-sized toiletries 16. Do a big pre-holiday clothes wash 17. Repeatedly worry whether you've packed your passport 18. Weigh their suitcases multiple times 19. Change the bedsheets 20. Obsessively check the weather at your destination 21. Research health precautions (e.g. vaccinations, water safety) 22. Load your tablet or e-reader with movies, books, or podcasts 23. Pack a 'just in case' kit with mini sewing kits, painkillers, duct tape, and safety pins 24. Take pictures of your passport and insurance 25. Pack lots of snacks "just in case" 26. Buy new underwear 27. Download offline maps/apps 28. Decide at the last second to pack several more items 29. Arrange plant care 30. Pack, unpack, and pack again
The Irish Sun
13-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Only the savviest travellers can spot all 10 getaway essentials in this busy beach brain teaser – can you find them?
WITH summer just about cresting our horizons, how can you resist a sunny seaside spot-the-items brainteaser. Remembering everything you need is not easy when jetting off – but this puzzle promises to get you into the right frame of mind. 2 Only the savviest travellers can spot all 10 getaway essentials in this busy beach brain teaser – can you find them? Credit: Hidden away in this busy beach scene are 10 items many of us will need in order to have fun abroad by the sea. Can you find a sun hat, a pair of sunglasses, sun cream, flip flops, beach ball, a plane ticket, a fan, a book, a bikini, and a camera. The brainteaser was commissioned by holiday package and travel tech platform, which also carried out research of 2,000 travellers to reveal the top 30 things they do before every getaway. These include getting their haircut especially for the trip, obsessively checking the weather, and arranging plant care. Doing a big clothes wash, packing lots of snacks 'just in case', and changing the bedsheets so they're fresh to return home to are also key activities prior to do a break. As are packing, unpacking, and packing again, buying new underwear, and worrying multiple times they've successfully packed their passport. The poll also found those who do any prep ahead of a getaway will spend an average of seven-and-a-half hours doing so. And 34 per cent say they actively enjoy it, with half have even taken time off work especially to get everything in order ahead of a much-deserved break. Most read in News Travel Taking annual leave is more common in younger respondents with 77 per cent of Gen Zs and Millennials having done this. In contrast, just 49 per cent of Gen X, 21 per cent of Boomers, and eight per cent of those from the Silent generation have taken time away from their jobs to get everything in order. I travelled to the hidden gem US region that's better than Florida it's filled bucket list tourist activities But 19 per cent don't factor in the cost of getting ready for a holiday when planning their travel budget. Spokesperson Zoe Fidler said: 'Between work, childcare, DIY projects and endless life admin, actually booking a holiday often ends up as a last-minute task – bringing with it the stress of wondering if you've missed out on the best deals. 'Then comes the 'holiday prep' itself – from hair appointments to packing enough snacks to keep the kids happy.' The study also revealed loading tablets or e-readers with movies, books, games or podcasts, cleaning out the fridge, purchasing travel-sized toiletries and weighing suitcases several times are also key activities for many. It also emerged 54 per cent consider themselves to be someone who gets everything sorted well in advance of a trip. With those who do prepare spending a total of seven-and-a-half hours doing so. Millennials spend the longest prepping for a getaway at nine hours and 14 minutes on average, but the Silent generation spend the least – five hours and 20 minutes. While women take seven hours and 57 minutes getting ready, with men spending six hours and 59 minutes to prep. The research, commissioned via OnePoll, also found 25 per cent tend to overpack 'massively' and 21 per cent leave at least some of their pre-getaway prep to the last minute. But 23 per cent selflessly put the needs of others ahead of their own when getting ready for a break. Read more on the Irish Sun spokesperson added: 'We know that preparing for a holiday can be time consuming, stressful and expensive - but worth it in the end, which is why we commissioned this research to fully understand what Brits need from their summer getaway. 'We firmly believe it's never too late to book a getaway and our booking data shows this happens more often than you think.' TOP 30 HOLIDAY PREPARATION TASKS: 1. Secure travel documents in one place 2. Purchase sun cream/after sun 3. Exchange currency or order travel money 4. Check passport/visa requirements and renew if needed 5. Pack any prescription medication and travel health kit 6. Make a packing checklist 7. Clean out the fridge 8. Secure the house 9. Get your hair cut 10. Read reviews 11. Clean the whole house 12. Buy medicines/tablets 13. Charge every possible device and pack two portable chargers 14. Arrange pet care 15. Buy travel-sized toiletries 16. Do a big pre-holiday clothes wash 17. Repeatedly worry whether you've packed your passport 18. Weigh their suitcases multiple times 19. Change the bedsheets 20. Obsessively check the weather at your destination 21. Research health precautions (e.g. vaccinations, water safety) 22. Load your tablet or e-reader with movies, books, or podcasts 23. Pack a 'just in case' kit with mini sewing kits, painkillers, duct tape, and safety pins 24. Take pictures of your passport and insurance 25. Pack lots of snacks "just in case" 26. Buy new underwear 27. Download offline maps/apps 28. Decide at the last second to pack several more items 29. Arrange plant care 30. Pack, unpack, and pack again 2 Did you catch all of these? Credit:
North Wales Live
13-06-2025
- North Wales Live
Brits dedicate over 7 hours to holiday preparations, ticking off an extensive 30-task checklist
Holiday-goers have revealed their extensive pre-trip rituals, which include getting a fresh haircut, obsessively checking the weather forecast, and arranging plant care. Other common chores involve doing a large load of laundry, packing an abundance of snacks 'just in case', and changing bed sheets ready for returning home. Many travellers also fill their tablets or e-readers with films, books, games, or podcasts; clear out the fridge; and stock up on travel-sized toiletries. Packing and unpacking multiple times, weighing suitcases, and double-checking that their passport is packed are also parts of the process. According to a survey, these pre-holiday preparations take an average of seven-and-a-half hours, but a third of respondents said they enjoy the process. Women typically spend seven hours and 57 minutes preparing, while men take slightly less time at six hours and 59 minutes. A significant number even take leave from work specifically to organise everything ahead of their holiday. This trend is more common among younger adults, with 77% of Gen Z and Millennials admitting they've taken time off to prepare for a holiday. Millennials also spend the longest time preparing for a trip, averaging nine hours and 14 minutes, reports the Daily Star. Zoe Fidler of which sponsored the research, remarked: "Between work, childcare, DIY projects and endless life admin, actually booking a holiday often ends up as a last-minute task – bringing with it the stress of wondering if you've missed out on the best deals." Findings from the survey showed that 54% of participants view themselves as well-organised, getting their affairs in order well before their trip. Yet, 25% confess they 'massively' overpack, and 21% leave at least some of their pre-holiday preparations until the last minute. Zoe added: "We know that preparing for a holiday can be time consuming, stressful and expensive - but worth it in the end, which is why we commissioned this research to fully understand what Brits need from their summer getaway. "We firmly believe it's never too late to book a getaway and our booking data shows this happens more often than you think." TOP 30 HOLIDAY PREPARATION TASKS: Secure travel documents in one place Purchase sun cream/after sun Exchange currency or order travel money Check passport/visa requirements and renew if needed Pack any prescription medication and travel health kit Make a packing checklist Clean out the fridge Secure the house Get your hair cut Read reviews Clean the whole house Buy medicines/tablets Charge every possible device and pack two portable chargers Arrange pet care Buy travel-sized toiletries Do a big pre-holiday clothes wash Repeatedly worry whether you've packed your passport Weigh their suitcases multiple times Change the bedsheets Obsessively check the weather at your destination Research health precautions (e.g. vaccinations, water safety) Load your tablet or e-reader with movies, books, or podcasts Pack a 'just in case' kit with mini sewing kits, painkillers, duct tape, and safety pins Take pictures of your passport and insurance Pack lots of snacks "just in case" Buy new underwear Download offline maps/apps Decide at the last second to pack several more items Arrange plant care Pack, unpack, and pack again
Wales Online
13-06-2025
- Wales Online
Brits dedicate over 7 hours to holiday preparations, ticking off an extensive 30-task checklist
Brits dedicate over 7 hours to holiday preparations, ticking off an extensive 30-task checklist A survey of 2,000 adults revealed the top things we do before every holiday - and it's no wonder we're all exhausted before we've even stepped foot on the plane Brits have an extensive list of tasks to get through before their holiday (Image: Getty Images ) Holiday-goers have revealed their extensive pre-trip rituals, which include getting a fresh haircut, obsessively checking the weather forecast, and arranging plant care. Other common chores involve doing a large load of laundry, packing an abundance of snacks 'just in case', and changing bed sheets ready for returning home. Many travellers also fill their tablets or e-readers with films, books, games, or podcasts; clear out the fridge; and stock up on travel-sized toiletries. Packing and unpacking multiple times, weighing suitcases, and double-checking that their passport is packed are also parts of the process. According to a survey, these pre-holiday preparations take an average of seven-and-a-half hours, but a third of respondents said they enjoy the process. Millennials took an average of nine hours to get ready for their holiday (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below Women typically spend seven hours and 57 minutes preparing, while men take slightly less time at six hours and 59 minutes. A significant number even take leave from work specifically to organise everything ahead of their holiday. This trend is more common among younger adults, with 77% of Gen Z and Millennials admitting they've taken time off to prepare for a holiday. Millennials also spend the longest time preparing for a trip, averaging nine hours and 14 minutes, reports the Daily Star. Zoe Fidler of which sponsored the research, remarked: "Between work, childcare, DIY projects and endless life admin, actually booking a holiday often ends up as a last-minute task – bringing with it the stress of wondering if you've missed out on the best deals." Ready for a challenge to get you in the holiday mood? Are you able to spot the 10 essential items in this busy beach scene? Findings from the survey showed that 54% of participants view themselves as well-organised, getting their affairs in order well before their trip. Yet, 25% confess they 'massively' overpack, and 21% leave at least some of their pre-holiday preparations until the last minute. Article continues below Zoe added: "We know that preparing for a holiday can be time consuming, stressful and expensive - but worth it in the end, which is why we commissioned this research to fully understand what Brits need from their summer getaway. "We firmly believe it's never too late to book a getaway and our booking data shows this happens more often than you think." TOP 30 HOLIDAY PREPARATION TASKS:
