Why do vacations make us happy?

Going to new places helps you improve your mental well-being by experiencing new places, people and cultures and breaking your routine. A recent Washington State University study found out that people who traveled several times a year-even for just 75 miles from home- were 7% happier than those who did not travel.



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According to neuroscientists, when we travel, we rewire our brains. This is because new experiences are the key to building new neural pathways in the brain. By rewiring your brain, you become more creative and accepting of new ideas. This is why travel makes you happy.

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Travel exposes us to different cultures and ancient traditions and through these authentic encounters, we learn to embrace and celebrate both our similarities and our differences. Travel teaches us about humanity and gives us an appreciation, understanding and respect for different points of view and ways of life.

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Feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine are great at contributing to reductions in stress, and they are produced at a higher rate when you're doing something fun – such as taking a vacation.

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Vacation Makes You Feel Good - When you are doing something that makes you happy your brain gives you a boost of dopamine, the hormone, and neurotransmitter that makes you feel good.

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By blending movement, nourishment and mindfulness, plus time to explore awe-inspiring destinations, our travels serve to help us decompress from work and regain our sense of balance.” So, to have a meaningful vacation, you could do a little bit of both. And, you need to stay for at least three days.

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Travelling is a sure-fire way to burst it. There's something deeply poignant about realizing that there's more out there to see and do. For many people, the need to keep exploring new places, and seeing more of the world, becomes intense.

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Mindfulness expert Leo Babuta describes vacation mindset this way: “Vacation mind…is just present in the current moment. Time is less important, enjoying yourself is the priority.” So what does it look like when you apply vacation mind to work? You let go of the anxiety.

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You're craving new experiences and new challenges. Travel is the ideal place to test yourself. It pushes people to their limits and gets them outside their comfort zone. You'll discover how resourceful you are when you're exposed to new places, people and experiences.

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Studies have shown that taking time away from the job can have physical and mental health benefits. People who take vacations have lower stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life, and more motivation to achieve goals.

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Most people snap back to their particular baseline level of happiness shortly after returning from a vacation. But psychologists say that reminiscing about a trip, even long after it's over, can bring deep pleasure in the present.

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American millennials are reported to travel an average of 35 days per year, significantly more than other generations. Meanwhile, the average travel days for other generations in the US are 26 for Gen X, 27 for baby boomers, and 29 for Gen Z.

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The study revealed that vacationers need eight days to fully unwind and feel refreshed. However, happiness peaked at eight days and fell dramatically after 11, making seven to 11 days the perfect vacation length.

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“One of the biggest reasons not to take a two-week vacation is returning with a ton of stress because there is too much on your plate,” she says. “Even if you vacation for one full week and the two adjoining weekends, it can be manageable, but two full weeks is just too much and the stress begins to accumulate.

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In fact, frequent business travelers tend to suffer from health problems ranging from obesity to insomnia. “Oddly enough, those who never travel and those who travel the most seem to be the sickest,” says Soumya Panchagnula, M.D., a family medicine specialist with Henry Ford Health.

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Dromomania was a historical psychiatric diagnosis whose primary symptom was uncontrollable urge to walk or wander. Dromomania has also been referred to as traveling fugue. Non-clinically, the term has come to be used to describe a desire for frequent traveling or wanderlust.

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Managing Chronic Stress with Vacations A long term follow-up study found that individuals who vacationed an average of more than 21 days per year had 10-15% lower likelihood of dying over the next 30 years. Unfortunately, adults in the U.S. average only one or two vacations each year totaling 10 days or less.

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However, most studies agree that at least two vacations a year can do wonders for your mental and physical health. Two vacations a year might seem like a lot to some and not enough to others, but that's truly the minimum number of vacations we're talking about here.

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