Recently, positive psychology researcher Shawn Achor collaborated with Monograms on a study called “The Path to Happiness,” which quantified the connection between happiness and travel. Through this research, he identified some key elements of a joyful journey. The American travel website “smarter travel” recently recommended these nine ways to make your trip more enjoyable.
1. Plan ahead
Planning ahead offers double benefits: you can enjoy reasonable prices and have more options. A recent survey of 4 million flights by a website showed that the average cost is lowest 54 days before peak travel season. According to “The Path to Happiness” study, 90% of travelers who had pleasant trips started planning their journeys about a month in advance, giving them ample time to look forward to the adventure.
2. Get away from home
For a truly joyful trip, it’s best to get away from home for a real vacation—not just a staycation or a nearby getaway. According to “The Path to Happiness” study, 94% of respondents said traveling farther from home led to more enjoyment, and occasional weekend trips can be very uplifting. 85% said that traveling abroad with a passport often became the most memorable and happiest time.
3. Slow down
Unburden yourself and slow down. A joyful trip needs the right pace—not rushing from one attraction to the next, sleeping on the bus and taking photos at every stop. In fact, over 88% of travelers said their most enjoyable trips were stress-free. And joyful trips pay off: 93% of respondents said they returned to work feeling refreshed after a great trip.
4. Make friends with locals
To truly understand a place, see it through the eyes of the locals—not just by following the same guidebook as most tourists or browsing web summaries. You need a real local as your guide. Research shows that befriending locals is key to a joyful trip. About 80% of travelers said their most unforgettable trips included a knowledgeable friend or an experienced local guide.
5. Forget saving money
Vacation is the time to indulge. After investing so much time, energy, and money to reach your destination, don’t miss out on seeing the Colosseum in Rome or taking a helicopter tour over Hawaii—experiences that might come only once—just to save a few dollars. Surveys show that 13% of tourists felt their travel happiness was reduced due to cost concerns.
6. Seek meaning
A joyful trip often inspires you, satisfies your curiosity, or fulfills a long-held dream. So next time you plan a trip, think carefully about how to make it meaningful. It might just be a life-changing journey.
7. Accept help
Some people are natural organizers who always plan their trips down to the last detail; others really struggle to plan their vacations in advance. If you’re the latter, it’s okay to admit it—just find someone to help. You have plenty of options to make your trip enjoyable from the start. Just find the most organized “friend” who knows how to arrange a trip based on your preferences.
8. Relax your mind
Research shows that the three main things that can ruin a pleasant trip are poor scheduling, unfamiliar destinations, and inconvenient transportation. All of these can cause stress, so it’s important to plan your itinerary wisely and not pack it too full. Double-check the map before you go to avoid getting lost, or you could just take a taxi instead of the bus.
9. Follow your heart
If you want to have a pleasant trip, go somewhere that makes you happy. It should have things you love—whether it’s cultural attractions or natural scenery, or even just small joys like your favorite Italian ice cream—that will bring you happiness.