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A recent study has found that frequent traveling makes people happier with their lives.
Previous studies on traveling have looked into how it affects people’s stress levels and overall health. However, most of these studies focused on the benefits of only a single vacation. The new research takes it a step further by examining how frequent travel can impact one’s happiness and wellness.
The researchers asked 500 adults about the amount of time they spent planning future vacations, the frequency of trips they took in a year, and the importance of traveling for them. The respondents were also asked about how satisfied they were with their lives.
Of all the participants, more than half reported that they traveled for leisure over four times a year, while 7% went on very few vacations or none at all. Results of the survey showed that those who traveled to destinations that are at least 120 kilometers away from their homes reported that they were happier compared to those who barely went on vacation.
The study’s authors explained that people who usually travel are likely to feel more satisfied with their lives because traveling often comes with new experiences. They noted that the accumulation of these experiences could have a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
The study could also have important implications for when current pandemic travel restrictions are loosened in the future. The lead author of the study said that travel companies, tourist destinations, and airlines could launch campaigns to spark discussion about the health benefits of going on vacation.