Researchers from Australia found that a break from the regular routine provides a chance to bond with others, explore interests and relax, all key ingredients for a happy existence.
Dr Sebastian Filep, expert in travel and wellbeing at Victoria University, Australia stated, "Happiness is good for overall physical and mental health and holidays are a good vehicle for experiencing happiness.
"Holidays may possibly lead to people living longer, as holidays make people happy."
The positive impact of holidays assessed
In order to assess the positive impact of holidays, Dr Filep questioned 60 different travelers and 200 backpackers about their various jaunts for his book, Tourists, Tourism and the Good Life.
Filep then carried out an in depth analysis by examining their traveling experiences.
He found that for travel buffs the entire process of planning and dreaming of a vacation is extremely enjoyable.
The motivation for the trip, the interesting time spent at the destination, and then reminiscing about it by looking at holiday snaps is a euphoric experience.
Dr Filep stated, “ Happiness is the opposite of depression
. If thinking about a holiday, going on a holiday and remembering a holiday plays a role in making people happy, than I certainly think prescribing holidays or travel could help beat depression.”
Outcome of the study
According to researchers, vacations provides three main elements of happiness.
While the first element evokes positive emotions like joy, interest, love and contentment in the traveler, the second gives them a sense of purpose and the third a sense of involvement.
All these aspects are vital for overall happiness.
Dr Filep stated, "I see holidays as part of the overall treatment for making people happy because we now have research evidence that demonstrates a clear link between holidays and happiness.”
"We know from studies in the US that experiencing positive emotions reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease, or that optimists live longer than pessimists."
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