Holidays 'could improve mental health'

If you're looking for a way to justify jetting off on holiday this year in the midst of the credit crunch, then you're in with a stroke of luck.

A spokesperson for the Family Holiday Association (FHA) has said that a break away from home could help families become more solid and content.

John McDonald, the director of the organisation, said that the time spent together could dramatically improve the mental health of wellbeing of parents and children.

"All the feedback that we have got indicates that a holiday makes for happier, stronger families. The single biggest impact a holiday can have is an improvement in mental health," he said.

"From the family's perspective, the single biggest improvement is spending time together. So a holiday, as we all know, is good for you."

A recent study by Abbey Credit Cards found that parents choosing to holiday in Britain during the half-term break will pay almost as much as those opting to spend their week in Cyprus, with similar hotels in Britain and Cyprus costing £348 and £439 per week respectively.

The FHA aims to help families experiencing disadvantages as a result of poverty through the provision of holidays and other recreational activities.