11 Dec How Travel Makes You a Happier Person
Travel can increase your happiness and well-being — and not just in the short-term. Whether you’re traveling for business or a leisurely getaway, traveling can make you a happier person by providing new experiences and memories and building self confidence, among many other positive benefits.
So the next time you find yourself heading out on a shopping spree to lift your mood, why not put that money towards a flight instead? Here are 7 ways in which travel can make you happier:
1. Book Some Quality Time with Yourself
Having a moment to take advantage of peace and quiet allows us to let go of stress and enjoy the moment. This will leave you with a new sense of well-being when you return home to your regular day-to-day. If you’re traveling with a partner, it’s a chance to spend quality time together one-on-one.
2. Learn a New Skill
Whether it’s learning how to cook the local cuisine or how to speak a new language, travel presents us with a chance to further our worldly knowledge. Learning makes our brains more active, which psychologists have found increases our level of happiness – particularly when learning something we find enjoyable, according to Forbes.
3. Get a Confidence Boost
There comes a time when everyone must deal with an unexpected situation when they’re on a vacation. Even if you plan your trip to the letter, things can take a surprise turn. Whatever happens, there is a way around the problem and knowing that you can deal with these situations is a big boost to self-confidence and therefore your happiness.
4. Grab Some Vitamin D
While it’s a bit of myth that you need to be in the sun for twelve hours to feel the full effects of vitamin D (20 minutes of exposure to sunlight is enough according to Harvard Health Publishing), there’s no doubt that in the same way that the cold and cloudiness can put a damper on our mood, sunshine and warmth generally put us in a much better mood. A beach break is a great way to relax and enjoy the health benefits of a warm climate. Admittedly, this is more of a short-term boost, but a healthy glow makes everyone feel better and lasts for a few weeks after your trip is over.
5. Happiness is Contagious
When locals are happy, smiling and friendly, it has an immediate knock-on effect. My favorite country to visit is Jamaica because of their friendly, fun nature. When faced with those big beaming smiles, it’s hard to be annoyed at the hassling you might experience at busy sites like Dunn’s River Falls; putting that knee-jerk irritation to one side instantly lifts your mood and is a good habit to take home.
6. Detox From Social Media
It’s healthy for everyone to have a break from social media every once in a while. Wi-fi is so prevalent that it’s hard to turn off and you can quite often find yourself tuning out whatever amazing place you’re in with your face in your phone, checking Instagram, checking your emails… stop. Turn it off. Better yet, find somewhere with no reception and no wi-fi so that you don’t have a choice. It’s liberating and allows you to better enjoy the ‘here and now’.
7. Long-Term Effects
Aside from making you happier in the short-term, traveling can make you a much more content, happy and relaxed person in the long run too. Of course, most travel enthusiasts are constantly planning their next trip, but when we’re at home or past a point of being able to jet off whenever we like, past travels leave us with the memories and personal skills – such as confidence, broad-mindedness, friends and a more worldly perspective — that make people happy. And that’s why travel makes you a happier person.
Book your next getaway with Enchanted Travel by calling us at 402-281-3022.