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The New York Times

Well | how vacations affect your happiness.

How Vacations Affect Your Happiness

Vacations are a chance to take a break from work, see the world and enjoy time with family. But do they make you happier?

Researchers from the Netherlands set out to measure the effect that vacations have on overall happiness and how long it lasts. They studied happiness levels among 1,530 Dutch adults, 974 of whom took a vacation during the 32-week study period.

The study, published in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life , showed that the largest boost in happiness comes from the simple act of planning a vacation. In the study, the effect of vacation anticipation boosted happiness for eight weeks.

After the vacation, happiness quickly dropped back to baseline levels for most people. How much stress or relaxation a traveler experienced on the trip appeared to influence post-vacation happiness. There was no post-trip happiness benefit for travelers who said the vacation was “neutral” or stressful.”

Surprisingly, even those travelers who described the trip as “relaxing” showed no additional jump in happiness after the trip. “They were no happier than people who had not been on holiday,” said the lead author, Jeroen Nawijn, tourism research lecturer at Breda University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.

The only vacationers who experienced an increase in happiness after the trip were those who reported feeling “very relaxed” on their vacation. Among those people, the vacation happiness effect lasted for just two weeks after the trip before returning to baseline levels.

“Vacations do make people happy,” Mr. Nawijn said. “But we found people who are anticipating holiday trips show signs of increased happiness, and afterward there is hardly an effect.”

One reason vacations don’t boost happiness after the trip may have to do with the stress of returning to work. And for some travelers, the holiday itself was stressful.

“In comments from people, the thing they mentioned most referred to disagreements with a travel partner or being ill,” Mr. Nawijn said.

The research controlled for differences among the vacationers and those who hadn’t taken a trip, including income level, stress and education. However, Mr. Nawijn noted that questions remain about whether the time of year, type of trip and other factors may influence post-vacation happiness.

The study didn’t find any relationship between the length of the vacation and overall happiness. Since most of the happiness boost comes from planning and anticipating a vacation, the study suggests that people may get more out of several small trips a year than one big vacation, Mr. Nawijn said.

“The practical lesson for an individual is that you derive most of your happiness from anticipating the holiday trip,” he said. “What you can do is try to increase that by taking more trips per year. If you have a two week holiday you can split it up and have two one week holidays. You could try to increase the anticipation effect by talking about it more and maybe discussing it online.”

Mr. Nawijn said that while he expected the study results to show a prevacation happiness boost, he was surprised that the study showed that relaxed holidays didn’t affect post-trip happiness levels.

“People start working again,” he said. “They have to catch up. Usually there is a big pile of work for them when they get back from the holiday.”

Comments are no longer being accepted.

pleasure is 80% anticipation

uhhhh….yeah

I am not sure how useful this type of research prove to be – I can hear some companies discussing the option to do away with vacations altogether and simply allow employees to indulge in vacation planning fantasy games for a few hours every month.

To me it says more about the increasingly stressful nature of life for so many people, who feel at effect of their circumstances rather than a co-creator. The feelings of disempowerment that sit alongside the challenges many face are indeed more than enough to sap one’s vacation happiness bump!

Perhaps this will move some to explore the riches of their inner world, as there are ways to be happy regardless of circumstances. Then vacations can be truly blissful experiences and even everyday normal can include delight.

//www.inthetransition.com

I have found vacations more stressful than work. Rather than spend money and travel I would prefer time in solitude away from family friends and work. Just stay in bed and read. Perhaps make my own meals and walk in the nearby park. Being served and pushed by well meaning servants is not my idea of comfort.

Must be why many people always seem to be on vacation. It makes them happy !!!

I live a very stressful and busy life, and whenever I take vacations -usually for a weekend- I’m stressed right until the moment I arrive, relax, and then become stressed again when I come home. I think a lot of the de-stressing has to do with not being around the internet and thus actually unable to do any work. The time off forces me to enjoy meals without checking my email and read before bed instead of working. And then I come back and have to catch it all up.

When my daughter was 14, I took her on a 3 week trip to Italy. I was determined that the goal was to have fun, not to fill out a checklist of things we saw and did. We saw a little art, visited a couple of famous buildings, took a bunch of aimless walks, sat in cafes and had a lot of really good street food. Six years later she and I still take pleasure from the experience.

this demonstrates that happiness comes from how you think about things far more than the things themselves, whatever those things/events etc. happen to be…this can therefore be used as a lesson to try and see more things things differently (especially things that you now view as making you unhappy) so you can be happier in general; not just in the weeks leading up to a vacation.

While this doesn’t surprise me, one thing I’d have to wonder is the effect of vacations on overall long-term stress levels….those of people who vacation regularly versus those of people who rarely go on vacation…

The anticipation and enjoyment may be short-lived, but the payments can last much longer.

I just returned home a week ago from a week long trip to Maui. My family and I had a wonderful time and were so happy to go. However, upon returning I was in a funk, kind of sad to be home and felt like the trip was a dream, like I blinked and it was over. I do have fond memories and am still happy about the trip but I do feel that my over all happiness is way less than before we went. My husband had to work 7 day in a row before the trip and 7 day in a row after the trip just so we could take the time off. We all adjusted out schedules to make it work and I feel like that made it harder to feel happy after the trip. We are thankful to take a trip like this and realized how good it was for us and the family that we are going back to Maui next year, it made us all happy.

Makes lots of sense for me. I hate having to go back to “real life” after a relaxing vacation. I spend the last day of my vacation in what is essentially a state of dread, and then I spend the following week thinking that it’s going to be a very long time until my next vacation!

Vacations are great – they’re fun, they’re relaxing – and they’re something to look forward to when you have one coming up. While you may have fond memories when you return, I don’t think having a vacation that’s just behind you is a reason for happiness.

This sums it up if you ask me: “…And for some travelers, the holiday itself was stressful. ‘In comments from people, the thing they mentioned most referred to disagreements with a travel partner…'”

And this is why I travel alone! Taking solo vacations expands my opportunities for adventure, exploring outside my comfort zone and therefore makes my life fuller and more wonderful. Plus no one to weigh me down or stress me out!

I think they should have included people who happily travel solo in this study. I am sure their post-vacay stress levels (or lack thereof) would have been different.

My favorite sort of vacation is one where I get to do crossword puzzles, read books, go swimming, get up late, cook, bake, and not worry about doing the wash when I get home. In short, I prefer to stay home and do all the things I can’t normally do when I work.

The only “news” in this story is that vacations do not and cannot compensate for a miserable worklife.

That is, of course, why the planning phase is so nice and the return-to-work phase is such a dud.

The traditional model of “earning” more vacation time only after years of “service” is really stupid, because the recently hired gifted employees will depart once they realize that their vacation days are limited and their work environment is stressful–a very bad and very common combo.

Ugh, the very word, “vacation” stresses me out. I would find ZERO pleasure in planning a vacation. The stress and hassle involved in the planning is one big reason why I never take a vacation! I would much rather have a 3 day weekend and spend the day off doing what I want to do!

Living in the SFBA I have no need to go on vacation.

I travel mostly to see the kids and grandchildren. When I see tourist couples at the airport or at my destination, I mostly see bored folks forced to spend time together.

This makes me feel much better about not having had a vacation in about 15 years, and no prospect of one in the foreseeable future. I’ll just do a little vacation fantasizing now and then and it’ll be just as good, and cost less. I don’t do “staycations” – to me the whole idea of vacation is to take the family on a trip, and if I’m going to stay home and do house repairs, well, I’ll just do that on the weekends and save my vacation time to cash out if I get laid off!

Many of us are working on treadmills where taking vacation time only means having to deal with a dreadful pile of extra work once you get home. No surprise at all that the happiness effect barely lasts.

I’m not sure about our happiness levels, but as a child my family took lots of big and small family trips that we still reminisce (sp?) about. Surely there is a benefit to that family time.

FROM TPP — I wonder what the results would have been if they had asked children. My daughter loves, loves, loves vacations but I’m one of those people who spends a lot of time thinking about the ever increasing workload building up back home. I also worry a lot about my dogs — that’s a huge stress for me when I’m away from home. Anyone else experience “pet stress” when on vacation?

Reading this article and some of the comments, it strikes me that there are a lot of people who don’t know how to vacation. This leads me to agree with an earlier poster who suggested comparing the happiness levels of frequent vacationers, who know what they’re doing, with that of amateurs.

That said, I don’t disagree with the notion that planning a vacation can be enjoyable in itself – anticipation is always great. I imagine this is even more likely to be the case, though, for those who don’t know how to fulfill that anticipation.

common theme: we are all going to kill ourselves with too much work! the problem with vacations is that our regular lives are too busy. there should not be such a vast contrast between everyday life and vacation, i.e. we should all have time to eat and read and sleep and exercise and spend time with our families or friends during our regular lives, and not just when we are on vacation. vacation should be a time to have more of those things, perhaps in a beautiful setting or with different family and friends while eating different food, hearing different sounds, etc. the exigencies of capitalism are leading to personal unhappiness and even illness. not that we’d be happier under communism, but I know that people in Europe, for instance, think that the way Americans work is insane. I do too. I do it because I have to, but it feels all wrong.

Our recent vacation was not so much “relaxing” as “exciting” and “stimulating” – we did lots of new things and met new people. The overall trip gave us a big feeling of accomplishment.

This yielded happiness during the return to normal life – I could think back to the events of vacation and feel as though anything were possible.

I too feel the pleasure of anticipation for a vacation – what to pack, where we’ll eat, what we’ll see, who we will spend time with. I think the immediate aftermath of a vacation is rather chaotic, but they are still important to help you unplug from life. Some of the best realizations I’ve had have been in foreign places, which have helped me see my own life from a distance and understand it differently. Maybe it’s not just about happiness, but about the value in changing your scenery every once in a while to remind yourself of who you are.

I am in the process of conducting a study with a 700g grant from the stimulus package to discern the effects of vacationing in Las Vegas versus South Carolina. For the next 5 years my family will be alternating between 6 months in Las Vegas and 6 months in South Carolina. At the end of the 5 years I must submit a report of my findings. My hypothesis is that I will have a great 5 years.

What's Next

“Go Traveling” and “Happy travels!” Says Happiness Research

Roman russo: author of optimal happiness.

• November 23, 2022
• Psychology of Happiness

There’s a reason that “happy travels” is a common phrase – because traveling really does make us happy people. In fact, a study by the University of Vermont found that people who travel are generally happier than those who don’t. 

There are many reasons for this, but here are just a few: 

• Seeing new places makes us feel more connected to the world, 
• It helps us learn about other cultures and how to get along with different types of people, 
• It gives us an opportunity to escape and disconnect, and 
• It gives us new experiences to look back on and remember.

It is not surprising that travel is often referred to as “the best education.” It’s because seeing the world expands our horizons in ways that no classroom ever could. Traveling allows us to experience different cultures, meet new people, and see amazing sights that we never would have thought possible. 

And it turns out that all of this exploration is good for our happiness! In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the latest research on the topic and see why traveling makes us happier people.

What Happiness Research Says About Traveling

One study, conducted by the Center for Economic Policy Research , found that people who took a vacation were 8.4% happier during the trip and 2 weeks afterward. And this happiness boost lasted for up to three months after the trip! Another study published in Applied Research in Quality of Life found that traveling can increase overall life satisfaction and well-being.

People have long known that travel can be good for the soul. It’s only recently, however, that researchers have been able to quantitatively measure the happiness benefits of travel. And the results are clear: traveling makes us happier people.

There are many reasons for this. For one, when we travel, we get to see new places and explore new cultures. This helps us feel more connected to the world and teaches us about other ways of life. Additionally, traveling gives us new experiences to look back on and remember. These happy memories can help boost our overall mood and make us happier in the present moment.

Beyond that, traveling also allows us to escape from our everyday routines and relax. It can be a time to forget about our problems and just enjoy ourselves. In fact, research shows that taking a vacation can improve our mental health and help us recover from stress.

So if you’re looking for a way to increase your happiness, consider traveling more! The research is clear: it’s definitely worth your time.

The Benefits Of Travel Go Beyond Just The Momentary Happiness Boost

Traveling also allows us to develop important skills such as adaptability, open-mindedness, and cultural understanding. These qualities not only make us more well-rounded individuals, but they can also have positive effects on our relationships and career prospects.

In addition, traveling can improve our physical health. Going on a vacation gives us the opportunity to be active and explore new ways of staying fit, such as trying out different sports or going on hikes in nature.

Overall, the happiness benefits of travel extend beyond just the momentary boost we get during the trip. The skills and experiences we gain from traveling can have positive effects on our overall well-being for years to come.

Why Exploring The World Is Good For Our Happiness

Once we understand the happiness benefits of travel, it’s important to remember that exploring the world is not just about our own personal gain. It’s also good for society as a whole.

When we travel, we have the opportunity to learn about and appreciate other cultures. This helps promote harmony and understanding between different peoples and nations, leading to a more peaceful world.

Additionally, traveling can help support local economies and preserve cultural heritage. By supporting local businesses and immersing ourselves in different cultures, we can help preserve their traditions and way of life for future generations.

So take some time to travel and explore the world – not only will it make you happier, but it’s good for society as well.

Escaping The Routine And Unhappiness Of Everyday Life

In the fast-paced world we live in, it’s easy to get caught up in our daily routines and responsibilities. This can lead to feelings of boredom and dissatisfaction with life.

Traveling offers a much-needed escape from this monotony. It allows us to break free from our routine and do something exciting and new. And as mentioned above, it can also provide opportunities for relaxation and stress relief.

So next time you’re feeling unhappy with your day-to-day life, consider taking a trip somewhere new – it just might be the refreshment you need to feel happy again.

Overall, research shows that traveling makes us happier people. It allows us to explore new places, cultures, and experiences. It gives us a break from our daily routine and helps improve both our mental and physical health. And it even has positive effects on society as a whole. So pack your bags and go see the world – you won’t regret it.

Other Ways Traveling Affects Our Well-Being

Aside from the happiness benefits, traveling can also have positive effects on our overall well-being. It can improve our physical health through opportunities for exercise and exploration of new fitness activities. It can also increase our mental acuity and ability to problem solve by exposing us to unfamiliar situations and challenges.

On top of that, travel can boost creativity and inspire new ideas. Seeing different perspectives and ways of life can spark fresh thought processes and lead to innovative solutions in both our personal and professional lives.

So not only does traveling make us happier people, it also contributes to a more well-rounded, healthy lifestyle. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and see the world. Your well-being will thank you.

Related post:

10 Years Rule: For Tourism, Traveling, And Happiness

Overcome Travel Anxiety and Reap the Benefits of Adventure

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“The problem is that of optimization,” states Roman Russo, author of Optimal Happiness: The Fastest & Surest Way To Reach Your Happiest Potential . There is plenty of advice on how to be happier or less sad, but no one is speaking about how to become the happiest we can be. And this is the difference that makes all the difference. By not looking at our maximum potential for happiness, we fall short of achieving it. After all, we all have hundreds of ideas on how to be happier or less sad, but most people still feel like they are not living their best lives. As such, Optimal Happiness explores the question of how to be the happiest we can be, regardless of who we are, where we are from, and what our life circumstances are. It proposes a complete and unconditional formula for happiness and explains how you too can become happy today and forever, inviting you to join the 1% happiness elite and become one of the happiest people alive.

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How to Be Happier When You Travel

By Cassie Shortsleeve

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

A few years back on a solo trip to Europe , Jaime L. Kurtz found herself standing on the Croatian island of Hvar. The sun shone. Boats bobbed in the Adriatic Sea. But instead of feeling happy and free, she felt homesick and lonely.

“I realized that a lot of this was due to my own habits and personality, rather than to characteristics of the places themselves,” Kurtz, an associate professor of psychology at James Madison University and author of The Happy Traveler: Unpacking The Secrets of Better Vacations , tells Condé Nast Traveler .

A weekend spent on Italy's Amalfi Coast, for example, is certain to come with sunshine, colorful hillside landscapes, and bright blue waters. But it can also come with unpredictability (think, language barriers) and stress (notoriously hard-to-navigate roads). Research shows that rather than the trip itself, the anticipation and subsequent memories of a vacation often bring us the most happiness.

Of course, it doesn't (and shouldn't) have to be that way. Here, happiness experts share how to find more moments of joy in travel—no matter where you are.

Plan for Your Personality

The thrill of a new place is always enticing, but you need to factor in your personality when planning a trip. “You're still you when you travel,” reminds Kurtz. If you’re introverted, consider seeking a secluded beach getaway or a trip to a tranquil spa . That said, do pick a place that offers outdoor adventure or a fun food scene, too, so you still have opportunities to take yourself out of your element.

For an extrovert, no matter how relaxing it may seem, the beach will grow boring. “We pretty much all have our limits in terms of how long we can simply lie on the beach or sit on the porch,” says Kurtz. “We tend to need variation and activity more than we think.” Incorporate a challenging hike into a trip, do a homestay, or make reservations in advance to try exotic local cuisine.

Incorporate a bit of adventure into the trip—even if you think you don't need it.

Research has found we often assume in certain situations—like sitting on a train—we’d rather mind our own business. But as it turns out, we’re actually happier chatting with seatmates.

“Social relationships are critical to happiness,” says Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the University of California who researches the science of human happiness. “The happiest people have solid strong relationships.” Positive emotions, she says, are experienced more often—and more intensely—when shared with others.

Don’t discount casual interactions, like talking with your barista at a coffee shop, either. These, too, can contribute to positive emotions, Lyubomirsky says. Vacation also provides an opportunity for more in-depth interactions, where you might meet up to hike with a newfound friend or trying an exciting new restaurant with a couple you just met, which can make travel more memorable and increase the joy we feel.

Find Moments of Awe

The Grand Canyon , the Sagrada Familia , Italy's Cinque Terre High Trail : “These places can make us feel overwhelmed and small—in a good way—and research suggests that awe can inspire us to be more helpful and generous to others,” says Kurtz.

To fully immerse yourself, limit technology when you're in these spots—take them in with real people, not virtual ones. While a ton of research suggests strong social ties are linked to psychological well-being and happiness, posting for online followers can have the opposite effect. One study out of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that the more people use Facebook, the unhappier they are. Another, out of the U.K. , found that Instagram—which has a tendency to lead people to compare their experiences to those of others—was one of the most damaging social media apps when it came to well-being.

And while you'll have to practice, you can also find awe on a more regular basis, according to Lyubomirsky, by directing your attention to moving or uplifting details—the glow of the stars on a particularly clear night, or fresh, local ingredients that you normally find frozen at home.

Aim for Novelty with a Bit of Familiarity

There’s a case to be made for flying somewhere far away. A study that analyzed 37 million tweets found that the farther a post was geo-tagged from home, the more likely it was to use positive words. Novelty and variety can boost happiness and teach us about ourselves—helping us to make lasting memories, says Kurtz. But take note: To sustain positive emotions, humans need some sense of familiarity, too, according to Lyubomirsky. “When things are 100 percent different and foreign there can be some stress or you might find things ugly because you don't understand them.” Try the Goldilocks equation: Not too familiar, but not so different that you’re terrified. (One example might be visiting an English-speaking country if you’re newer to international travel.)

Just remember: Part of finding joy in travel involves stepping out of your comfort zone, pushing yourself to do new things, and experiencing cultures different from your own. The more you do that, the more you'll enjoy it.

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6 ways travel benefits happiness and mental health

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As COVID restrictions relax, many of us are looking forward to getting away again. And taking time out to travel helps us do more than just chill out. As  Calvin Holbrook discovers, research suggests that, in fact, traveling offers some important mental health benefits. 

Whether it's a 48-hour road trip out of town or two weeks in a far away foreign country, travel can work wonders for both our personal and professional lives. And aside from giving us the chance to relax, research has shown that, in fact, travel provides us with a great number of benefits to our mental health . So, here are six key ways traveling is great for mental health and happiness : it'll give you six more excuses to start planning your next adventure!

1. It reduces stress and boosts health

The daily commute. Family issues. Relationship problems. Feeling unhappy at work . Our day-to-day lives can be filled with many stressful situations. Taking time away from those things through travel is a great way to clear your head and de-stress, as it temporarily removes us from the places and activities that increase our stress levels.

Travelling allows us to forget about our chores and stresses and reset our minds. According to a 2013 study , almost 90 per cent of Americans surveyed noticed significant drops in stress following just a couple of days of travelling.

Margaret J King from the Center for Cultural Studies and Analysis sums up the  stress-relieving abilities  of travel well : “With a short list of activities each day, freed up from the complexities of ongoing projects and relationships, the mind can reset, as does the body, with stress relief the main outcome.”

2. It boosts happiness and mood

Aside from the obvious point that you don't have to work (and can basically eat and drink pretty much anything), traveling provides you with the perfect chance to step away from the mundane daily grind.  

Switching up your daily routine through travelling means new experiences and events, which are proven to help rewire the brain and stimulate your mind, in turn boosting both your mood and happiness levels. Furthermore, according to two significant studies, even just the act of planning a trip is proven to raise your happiness levels.  

Related: Why money can't buy happiness (except when you spend it like this)

A  2014 study by Cornell University concluded that the anticipation of a trip increases a person’s happiness levels substantially, more so than the idea of acquiring a new possession, such as a car. This research was backed up by a further study from the University of Surrey that found that people are at their happiest when they have a trip ahead already planned. Moreover, they’re also more positive about their general quality of life, health and financial situation.

3. It makes you more mentally resilient and independent

Visiting a new place while traveling is exciting, but it can also be intimidating and challenging. Indeed, facing difficulties in an unfamiliar environment and being among new people and situation often forces you out of your comfort zone.

For example, it could be trying to speak a new foreign language, navigating public transport networks, attempting to order and try new foods… While this can sometimes be uncomfortable, this aspect of foreign travel can also make us more resilient, by toughening us up mentally and emotionally.  

“Travelling allows us to forget about our stresses and reset our minds. According to a 2013 study, almost 90 per cent of Americans surveyed noticed significant drops in stress following after just a couple of days of travelling.”

Being out of our comfort zones like this means we have to learn and adapt, which in turn makes us more flexible and patient. And, according to a 2013 research paper by Zimmerman and Neyer , the challenge of travelling in a foreign country can strengthen the 'openness' of our personalities and improve emotional stability.

4. It gives you time to reconsider your life

Travelling helps promotes mindfulness as we tend to forget our lives back home and instead focus on the moment and all the nice things we're experiencing. However, taking time out from our regular routine can also provide a valuable time for reflection, especially if you're going through a transitional period in your life.  As writer Patrick Rothfuss once said, “A long stretch of road can teach you more about yourself than a hundred years of quiet.” 

Furthermore, the lessons that you learn along the way during your travels can broaden your perspective, making you more aware and open to new ideas. Likewise, experiencing new cultures gives you a chance to reflect on your own. 

RELATED: Happiness in different cultures

This chance to reflect on life is backed up by Adrian and Christoph from the German travel podcast Welttournee – der Reise Podcast . They are two friends who've travelled together to over 100 countries. Christoph says: “We've travelled to many countries together but from time to time it’s also good to go on the big trip alone. To be able to look, see and judge, it’s sometimes a big advantage, when you are totally on your own and unencumbered – your inner voices begin to speak with you and from this point it could be a journey to yourself.”

5. It strengthens and clarifies relationships

Many of the benefits of travelling on mental health we've looked at so far are very focused on individuals. So, how can travel be positive when there is more than one of you on the trip? Well, if you're travelling with a friend or partner, it opens up the possibility to strengthen and clarify the relationship.

During a trip together you have the chance to experience to many different and perhaps new feelings – awe , confusion, excitement, disorientation – all of which can be meaningful for relationships.

Indeed, according to a 2012 survey by the US Travel Association, couples who travel together have healthier and happier relationships compared to those who do not. The phone study provided three key results :

• Travel has long-term benefits for couples, such as increased closeness and perception of shaared goals/interests
• Travel helps build and maintain relationships
• Travel ignites romance and intimacy

Furthermore, planning a trip as well as making decisions – and compromises – can help bring you closer and strengthen a relationship.  

However, on the other hand, these experiences can also bring out hidden clarity to a relationship that was facing difficulties. Some people discover that the relationship with the person they’re traveling with is not worth investing in further and they realise they're not really compatible.  

6. It increases depth of thought and creativity

If you’re facing a creative block or lacking in direction, travel could do your mental health the world of good by boosting your ability to form new ideas and unlock your creativity through new experiences.  

You may have previously heard that taking a different route to work every day is beneficial to you . That’s down to neuroplasticity – the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. By changing your environment and exposing your brain to things you haven’t seen before, you’re literally forming new neuronal pathways. And creativity is directly related to neuroplasticity.  

“According to a 2012 survey by the US Travel Association, couples who travel together have healthier and happier relationships compared to those who do not.”

This was backed up with a 2014 study published in the Academy of Management Journal . The research showed that foreign travel and work significantly improved creativity among fashion directors from over 270 fashion houses.  

But simply being somewhere new is not enough to maximise boosting your creativity. According to the study’s researcher Adam Galinsky, engagement, immersion and adaptation were all critical factors to success.  

He told The Atlantic : “Someone who lives abroad and doesn’t engage with the local culture will likely get less of a creative boost than someone who travels abroad and really engages in the local environment.”

So, next time you go somewhere new, make sure to delve into all it has to offer and connect with the local community: you’ll be forming new neuronal pathways in the brain and may boost your creative juices.

The takeaway: travel and mental health

Science shows that, apart from just relaxing, travelling and experiencing new cultures helps boost our mental health and happiness in many ways: providing stress relief, boosting our resilience, creativity and happiness, while also improving our relationships.   

As  Christoph from  Welttournee – der Reise Podcast  says, “We have become disgustingly rich by traveling. Not necessarily in our bank balance, but in a very special way. After each trip we have many stories to tell. We have met many new people, tried new things and become richer in our own way.” ●

Main image: shutterstock/frantic00

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Posted October 3, 2019

Travelling changed my life. From being a software Engineer to the path of Yoga, the major shift in my life happened because of Travelling. I never booked expensive hotels or Flights. I always chose Couch surfing, backpacking hostels and Hitchhiking and that really change my perspective towards life. The people I met while travelling inspired me a lot to be a better Human being. I still remember those days while I was couchsurfing in Turkey with a beautiful family of 10 members. I still remember the eyes of that kind woman who served us food everyday. She didnt speak any English but her Husband said:  meeting you travellers is travelling for her. She loves other culture. She was full of Kindness and that gratitude will stay forever inside me and I will meet them again. For me Travelling was so important to take out all those identities and just identify myself as a Human being. We are all the same :)

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Posted October 1, 2019

I feel the same Candy! I try to make a balance by bringing the inner attitude I have while traveling into every day situations and apply it also in my own city or it's surroundings. What I love about traveling is to roam around and explore things, to discover something I haven't seen before, to be alone and have some freedom to reflect on life, etc.

Sometimes, when I let go of my routines and choose to take an extra turn in my own city or stop at a square i usually only pass by, this feeling comes up even in my own city.

I know, its not a full fix, but its a start ;)

Calvin77 1,341

Posted September 29, 2019

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Happiness.com » Magazine » ART & CULTURE » 6 ways travel benefits happiness and mental health

How to Plan Your Most Joyful Trip, According to a Happiness Expert

Laurie santos’s yale university course “psychology and the good life” focuses on topics such as mindfulness and slowing down. here’s how you can apply her teachings to your own travels..

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“There are studies showing that people who have unscheduled time, and who commit to unscheduled time, tend to be happier overall than people who don’t,” says Yale professor Laurie Santos.

Illustration by Clare Mallison

In 2018, Yale professor Laurie Santos launched “Psychology and the Good Life,” a course meant to help stressed-out students live happier, more satisfying lives. The class quickly became the most popular in the university’s history. The concepts Dr. Santos teaches in her twice-weekly lectures—mindfulness, slowing down, socializing—can also make you a happier traveler.

How do you put what you teach into practice on the road? When we travel, we’re not taking part in our usual routines, so it’s easy to try out new behaviors that can improve our well-being. We’re also faced with new places and experiences during travel, so it’s often easier to be mindful and notice things than it is in our daily lives. I try to savor the moment when I travel, because it’s easy to stay present in a new restaurant or place. I also like to savor the time affluence—free, unscheduled time—I get on trains and planes. I sometimes take breaks from work when I’m flying just to enjoy the time and be present. I like watching the world go by and paying attention. There’s nothing I have to get through on the plane the way I do in normal life.

Why is unscheduled free time so important to our well-being? There are studies showing that people who have unscheduled time, and who commit to unscheduled time, tend to be happier overall than people who don’t. Overly scheduled time can make us feel anxious. Unscheduled time allows us to have more of a journey. There’s also work suggesting that when we have more open time, we tend to be more social. When you’re running from meeting to meeting, you don’t take the time to talk to the barista at the coffee shop—and those simple social interactions bring well-being, too. And because social science shows that we’re happier when we connect with others, I try to talk to new people during my travels. When flying, I’ll talk to anybody who happens to be near me. Also, that time when you’re waiting to get off the plane can be super boring, but having a little social interaction with somebody can really make the time fly by and make it more enjoyable.

How do you suss out if people want to talk or not? There’s a study coauthored by behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley called Mistakenly Seeking Solitude , which examines the idea that people think that no one’s going to want to talk to them. But, in practice, people do want to talk to you—and they find it really enjoyable. It’s another one of these cases where our mind lies to us about the things we need. We think, “Oh, talking to this person next to me will be awkward or it won’t be that fun,” but in fact that’s just a mis-prediction. It’s always better than we expect.

What about when you are in the destination, what kind of small talk do you engage in? Often just asking people for their recommendations. Talking to locals and hearing what they’re excited about, you can get so many better hints than you can on a travel-rating website. You might be asking them a question about a particular thing but they might suggest something you never even expected.

Is there a time that really stuck with you? It’s not the big crazy ones, it’s the little ones that you appreciate. I was recently in San Francisco , and I was visiting the Museum of Ice Cream, this cool tourist destination. And that was really fun, just interacting with the other patrons in the museum. And I unexpectedly met a mom and her daughter who was there for her 10th birthday party, and so we were talking about things for kids to do in San Francisco. I also met a group who weren’t locals, but other travelers from North Carolina who had just recently graduated from college. You make these kinds of connections and it makes the place that you’re visiting come alive.

And it does cement the place in your memory a little more, right? Yeah, I think when you have those conversations, then you see your experience through their eyes and you include it in your memories more. It can be a much richer experience.

“Americans seem to hate time affluence,” says Santos. “Going abroad can make you realize how much more it is valued in other countries.”

Photo by Marie-Sophie Tékian

How would you describe the American attitude toward free time? And how does it compare to other countries’? Americans seem to hate time affluence. As a country, we developed along the Protestant work ethic [which emphasizes industry and discipline]. Even people like Benjamin Franklin were kind of angry about people who were idle—they almost saw it as a sin. But the psychological data shows that’s an incorrect notion: You get a lot more out of free time than you expect. Going abroad can make you realize how much more it is valued in other countries. So when you’re traveling, try to drop that American mind-set. Linger a little longer in that restaurant, or take a siesta break.

When you observe other travelers, what advice do you want to give them? You try not to do it in a judgmental way, right? But I definitely see people who I think are doing it wrong [laughs]. You’ve seen it: People are at this beautiful beach, and they’re on their phone, seemingly checking email. I want to say, You’re missing it. Don’t miss it.

Why do you think Americans tend to pack their travel itineraries? Part of it is that we think we’re going to miss something. What we forget is that serendipity is what we’re really missing—it’s the things that aren’t on our itinerary that are important.

I feel like social media really gave rise to that: FOMO, as well as people wanting to visit the places they’ve seen on Instagram. Do you have any advice for people to combat that? My husband’s uncle was in town, and he’d recently visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa . He said it’s hard to get close to the tower, or even see it, because hundreds of people are around it, pretending to push it for their Instagram posts. And it’s like, really? Does every single person who goes to Pisa need that photo? When you’re taking that, you might be missing the accents around you, or the smell, or other things. Photos can enhance our memories of an experience, but we miss out on all the stuff we’re not taking the photo of. Things that can be some of the most powerful parts of the experience.

What’s your strategy for hanging on to post-travel bliss? Returning from a trip is a good time to savor what you most missed about home. For me, that’s my warm bed and my husband, who I miss terribly when I’m traveling. It can also be a good time to switch your habits and try something new. I’m actually doing it now. My house is under renovation, so my husband and I booked an Airbnb. I wake up in a different spot, I have a different routine, and I’m using [that change] to try and go to the gym more often. I have a two-week pass to this boxing sports club.

There’s a lot of research that suggests it’s easier for us to kickstart new habits at these natural breaks in our lives. Think of New Years. We’re like, it’s the new year. Or a birthday: I’m a new age. [A change in place is] another one of those breaks. You feel like you’re in a new spot, like, It’s after vacation time. And those little moments of defining yourself differently do seem to change our motivation. There’s some lovely work by the behavioral economist Katy Milkman and her colleagues. She’s a professor at the Wharton School and she’s shown that framing things as a fresh start can motivate people to start new habits.

>>Next: 7 Tips for Creating Happier Travel Memories

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• Happy trails: why travel makes us happy and what we can learn from the happiest places in the world
• < Travel inspiration

Travel inspiration

By David Szmidt March 9, 2023

By David Szmidt | March 9, 2023

Last update: April 3, 2023

Which are the happiest countries in the world? How does travel make you happy? Why does planning a trip improve your quality of life? We’ve done some investigating

Travel is one thing that makes pretty much everyone happy. It’s exciting to see new countries and experience new things. Indeed, some of our happiest and most vibrant memories come from traveling; even years later, it’s something to look back on and smile about. But which places see themselves as the happiest and why? Why does travel excite us so much? Read on to find out.

Which are the happiest countries in the world?

Every year since 2012, the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network has published its World Happiness Report . It’s a survey to see which countries are the happiest and on what bases (spoiler: basically being socially conscious and environmentally sound, and striving for equality). The most recent top 10 were:

Topping the list for five years in a row now, Finland ’s accessible culture, beautiful landscapes, safe cities and laid-back lifestyle make a winning combination. Take a walk in the forest, swim in a lake, eat fresh fruit — it’s the simple things.

The hygge -bringers cite eco-friendliness, sustainability and community as their strongest attributes, meaning a friendly, responsible society.

@kiwi.com Do you agree?👽 #whytravel #alwaystravel #travellife #traveltiktok #travelblog #cheapflights #freetravel #budgettravel #cheaptravel #wehacktravel #wehackthesystem #kiwicomtravel ♬ original sound – Kiwi.com

Fabulous, almost otherworldly landscapes and natural phenomena like the northern lights mean that long winters are more than made up for by endless summer days in volcanic hot springs.

One of the healthiest countries in the world, Israel’s cuisine is top-notch, from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants. Take advantage of that fresh Mediterranean diet and see what a difference it makes.

Netherlands

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Kiwi.com (@kiwicom247)

Hop on your bicycle and pop to a local café for waffles and jam, stopping to have a conversation with a neighbor or to pick up groceries. Safe, friendly, and socially conscious are the buzzwords again.

Where Denmark has hygge , Sweden has lagom —  a word (also used in Norwegian) that means “just the right amount”. This “Goldilocks zone” is important to Swedes — not too little of anything, but not so much that things lose their luster and charm, so they bring a smile to your face when encountered.

@kiwi.com Save this video so that you don’t break the bank on your next trip to Norway!✅ #norway #norwaytravel #norwaynature #nature #visitnorway #norwayphotos #traveltiktok ♬ BORN FOR THIS – Foxxi

Being near water is something Norway offers by the fjord-load, so get out to the mountains and lakes to sail, swim, cycle, and get lungfuls of that crisp, clean air.

Switzerland

Believers in a very direct democracy in which everything is voted on by the people, from the number of vacation days nationally to minor, local issues, the Swiss social system is bound by the belief that every voice is important. That — and the chocolate — makes it a very happy place.

High salaries is one of the stereotypes about Luxembourg — and it’s true — but it’s not greed. One of the strongest social security systems in the world means superb healthcare and some of the best work-life balance of any culture (including a mandatory five weeks of vacation a year).

New Zealand

A country that introduces a well-being budget of billions to help citizens’ mental health, end child poverty, and support the Māori and Pasifika populations is a country looking forward. The famously friendly Kiwis also happen to live on some of the most stunning islands on the planet.

Why does travel make you happy?

You might think that’s a silly question. It’s seeing new places, right? Sure, very fun, but there’s a bit more to it.

Even the act of planning a trip can get your happiness levels up. A study by the Institute for Applied Positive Research found that 97% of respondents reported that having a trip planned made them happier. The process provides a distraction from your daily routine, the possibilities are exciting, and the anticipation and delayed gratification of a trip — something solid to look forward to — relaxes us and cheers us up in both the short- and medium-term.

Self-confidence

Getting out of your comfort zone and into a new culture, a new language and a new way of doing things means that seemingly simple things — buying a travel card, ordering food, even crossing the street — are done slightly differently. Completed a task? Hey, be proud of yourself!

Social interaction

When traveling, you meet people. That goes without saying, but these are people you might not normally meet. They’re not colleagues or your regular friends; they’re people with stories, motivations, and ideas you might not have encountered before. The one thing you all have is a love of adventure and, for a short time, that’s enough to create a bond.

Living in the moment

Get off your phone (not right now, finish reading this first!) and live in the moment. When you’re traveling, you see things for the first time, and possibly the only time. You spend less time doom-scrolling and give yourself over to the here and now.

Learning new things

Maybe it’s a huge thing, like a new language. Maybe it’s something smaller, like how the ticket machine works on an unfamiliar tram. Travel means you’re always learning, whether consciously or not, and rewards you with that little buzz of endorphins when you’ve accomplished something good.

You can do whatever you want when you’re traveling. Sit in a cafe with a book? Do it. Hire a bike and ride for hours? Do it. Immerse yourself in museums and galleries? Do it. Go out clubbing and return in the daylight? Do it. This is your trip, so whatever it is, do it.

The most important thing you’ll bring back from your trip is your memories. Not just what you saw, but how it changed you emotionally. That particular smell that for the rest of your life will return you to that spice market; that feeling of queasy excitement when you looked from that cliff edge; that moment of wonder when you turned a corner to be faced with something you’d only seen in pictures.

@kiwi.com the friends trip that actually happened!🥹🛫 #friendstrip #travelwithfriends #travelwithkiwicom #kiwicomflight #kiwicomtravel ♬ original sound – Kiwi.com

These are the things that make people happy when they travel. Returning to that emotional state will forever be you coming back to a happy place… and that happy place will be the trigger for you to book your next adventure !

Do you want more travel articles? Visit  Kiwi.com Stories .

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David Szmidt

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Take the stress out of travel: World Travel Hackers on insurance from Kiwi.com and AXA travel insurance

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WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review: Is it Worth The Cost?

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Since 1998, WorldTrips has provided medical insurance and trip protection to travelers from the U.S. and around the world in addition to coverage for international students. The company also provides coverage for various tour groups, missionary work and student exchange programs. The insurance policies are underwritten by Tokio Marine HCC, a Houston-based insurance company.

Whether you’re a U.S. resident looking for comprehensive travel insurance plans or a student looking for a medical-only policy, WorldTrips insurance has coverage options.

What kind of plans does WorldTrips provide?

If you’re a U.S. resident, WorldTrips offers four single-trip comprehensive travel insurance plans: Atlas Cruiser, Atlas Journey Economy, Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier. Here's a quick overview of the coverage offered by each plan.

Atlas Cruiser: This plan comes with 100% trip cancellation , 100% trip interruption , $25,000 medical expenses, $100,000 medical evacuation and $1,500 baggage loss coverage (up to $500 per item). This plan also offers optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage for up to 75% of the total trip cost (as long as you purchase it within 21 days of your initial trip payment and more than 48 hours before your trip begins).

Atlas Journey Economy: This budget plan covers 100% trip cancellation, 100% trip interruption, $10,000 medical expenses , $250,000 medical evacuation and $1,000 baggage loss (up to $250 per item).

Atlas Journey Preferred: This mid-range plan offers coverage for 100% trip cancellation, 150% trip interruption, $100,000 medical expenses, $1 million medical evacuation and $1,500 baggage loss (up to $500 per item). You can add Cancel For Any Reason coverage for 50% or 75% of the total trip cost.

Atlas Journey Premier: The priciest plan also provides the most coverage, including 100% trip cancellation, 150% trip interruption, $150,000 medical expenses (primary coverage), $1 million medical evacuation and $2,000 baggage loss (up to $500 per item). You have the option to add Cancel For Any Reason coverage for 50% or 75% of the total trip cost.

Non-U.S. residents and international students have access to medical-only policies. Annual plans aren’t available for U.S. residents.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

WorldTrips travel insurance cost and coverage

WorldTrips offers several comprehensive single-trip plans that include basic trip protections and medical coverage. The cost varies based on coverage limits.

WorldTrips single-trip plan cost

Here's a comparison of the cost of WorldTrips insurance plans for a 10-day trip that costs $2,000 for a 35-year-old traveler from California. In our example, the destination isn’t specified, and the trip doesn’t include a cruise.

The Atlas Journey Premier plan comes in at $126, the most expensive option. The Atlas Cruiser plan has a similar cost of $120. The Preferred and Economy plans, which cost $103 and $79, respectively, are a bit cheaper, but come with lower coverage limits.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

Which WorldTrips travel insurance plan is for me?

The kind of coverage you’re seeking for your upcoming travels is going to affect your plan selection. Here are a few situations which might influence your decision:

If you’ve made nonrefundable deposits for your trip: If you’re going on a safari to Kenya or on a cruise to Antarctica and you’ve prepaid nonrefundable expenses, you probably want to go with plans that offer more coverage, such as Atlas Journey Preferred or Atlas Journey Premier.

If you need to add on Cancel for Any Reason coverage: For single-trip insurance plans, go with either Atlas Cruiser, Atlas Journey Preferred or Atlas Journey Premier because they offer this optional upgrade.

If travel insurance is mandatory and you hold a premium travel rewards credit card : If a tour operator requires you purchase travel insurance but you hold a credit card that already provides some trip protections, you can probably get away with the least expensive Atlas Journey Economy policy.

» Learn more: What does travel insurance cover?

How to get a quote from WorldTrips

To get an online quote, go to the WorldTrips home page and select whether you’re a U.S. resident, a non-U.S. resident or an international student. If you’re a U.S. resident, click on that box, then fill out the form to price your plan.

Make sure to provide your state of residence, total trip cost, departure and return dates, traveler’s age and initial trip payment date. If you’re going on a cruise, be sure to check the box. Once the form is complete, select “View my plans” and compare the plan types.

What isn’t covered by WorldTrips insurance?

As with any travel insurance policy, there are some exclusions to coverage. Here’s a sampling of things WorldTrips doesn’t cover:

Intentional self-inflicted injuries, including suicide.

War, invasion or acts of foreign enemies.

Speed or endurance competitions as well as athletic stunts.

Piloting or learning how to pilot an aircraft.

Being engaged in illegal activities.

Medical tourism.

Traveling against a physician’s advice.

Operating a motor vehicle without a license.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance in 2023?

Is WorldTrips travel insurance worth it?

WorldTrips insurance offers multiple plans for U.S. travelers looking for trip insurance and medical coverage abroad as well as non-U.S. travelers and students looking for medical coverage in case of an unexpected injury or illness.

If you travel once or twice per year, WorldTrips offers several comprehensive single-trip policy options that are worth checking out. However, if you need an annual plan, you'll want to look elsewhere.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.