Going on holiday is good for the soul, we all know that, but there are lots of other positive benefits that come courtesy of a trip away.

Travel site Expedia surveyed a group of 31 million Brits to determine why going on holiday really is nature’s best medicine, and came up with some interesting results.

It’s not surprising that 81 per cent said they felt better after a trip, nor are the figures that stated 46 per cent of people said they felt more relaxed, 42 per cent said they felt happier and 35 per cent said they felt less stressed.

However holidays yield some unexpected beauty benefits too, with 10 per cent claiming their saw an improvement in the condition of their skin and six per cent losing weight while being away. 14 per cent felt healthier after holidaying too, while 10 per cent were more confident.

Holiday side effects also extended to the bedroom, with 20 per cent sleeping better upon returning home, and six per cent reporting a higher sex drive.

“One of the best things about holidays is that by coming out of your routine you don't have to worry about ‘must dos’ and can have new experiences on your terms,” Dr. Linda Papadopoulos, who assisted with the study, commented.

“You're free to do as much or a little as you like, which in turn makes you feel more relaxed. This can help reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which when significantly elevated in the body can have a negative impact on organs such as the skin.”

The holiday effect can last anywhere between three weeks to three months.

Dr. Papadopoulos adds that with the reduction of stress, positive benefits like motivation and productivity shine through.

“Exposure to a healthy amount of sunshine is also believed to increase the brain's release of the hormone serotonin, which is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused,” she pointed out.

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