How Americans Are Putting the Spring Back in Their Step This Spring Break

March is here: that time of year when many take advantage of spring break for family trips or to spend time with friends. Whether you’re seeking to escape from lingering winter weather or just generally care for your mental health, the beach, a boat or basketball brackets all go a long way in putting that spring back in your step. At Atomik Research, we wanted to get a pulse check on how people were feeling about their mental health this spring and if any stressors are impacting their travel vacations this year, so we asked 2,010 adults in the U.S.

Unsurprisingly, 65% of respondents say stress is what keeps them awake at night. Yet when it comes to mental health, American adults are generally doing something to feel good/better. In fact, 47% of respondents say they use exercise as a coping mechanism, while 60% use a combination of mood modifying substances: marijuana (20%), alcohol (14%), CBD (12%), homeopathic medications (9%), and psilocybin treatments (5%). Among those who seek professional care, just under a quarter surveyed (22%) seek help from therapists/psychiatrists or utilize antidepressants (23%).

Speaking of stress, the economy is certainly not doing anyone any mental health favors. Over half of respondents (55%) think the economy is in poor shape, yet optimistically enough, 45% think things will improve financially over the next 12 months and that they’ll be better off next year. Travel plans in 2023 reflect concerns over cost, as just over 4 in 10 people (41%) say they lack funds/money to travel this year, with 35% claiming inflation as the reason they could postpone traveling vacations in 2023.

For those who intend to travel for spring break and beyond, 42% anticipate spending more than usual, with the top 3 priorities for a traveling vacation in 2023 consisting of visiting friends/family (36%), visiting a place they’ve never been (30%), and wanting to save as much money as possible on a budget-friendly trip (26%).

Thankfully, most of the people surveyed say their companies support their use of PTO (Paid Time Off), with almost 3 out of 4 (74%) giving a positive report for time away to enjoy any way they can! When asked about their general mood at their current job, just over half (53%) of respondents say they are happy. Given the opportunity to rank qualities in order of importance for happiness at work, remote work came in first at 27%, flexible work hours second with 24%, and company culture third at 23%. Compensation came in just below those 3 (22%) and was tied with doing meaningful work and management/leadership.

Here’s to a less-stress spring, no matter how you get there! 🍻🥂🍹

Atomik Research conducts a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research, in-depth insights and analytics as well as PR surveys like this one to serve the needs of all our clients. If you are looking for a partner on your next research project, you can schedule a call here!

Atomik Research, a 4media group company, is an independent creative market research agency.