Recently, positive psychology researcher Shawn Achor collaborated with Monograms on a study called “The Path to Happiness,” quantifying 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 better prices and have more options. A recent survey of 4 million flights by a website found 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 about a month in advance, giving them ample time to look forward to the journey.
2. Get Away from Home
For a truly happy trip, it’s best to actually get away from home, rather than just taking a staycation or a short trip nearby. According to “The Path to Happiness” study, 94% of respondents said that traveling farther from home brought more enjoyment, and occasional weekend getaways can be very uplifting. 85% said that traveling abroad with a passport often became the most memorable and joyful experience.
3. Slow Down
Unburden yourself and slow your pace. A happy trip requires the right rhythm—not sleeping on the bus, taking photos at every stop, and rushing to the next attraction, activity, or restaurant. In fact, over 88% of travelers said their most enjoyable trips were those taken without stress. And happy 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. Instead of relying on the same guidebook as most tourists or browsing online attraction summaries, you need a real local as your guide. Research shows that making friends with locals is key to a happy trip. About 80% of travelers said their most unforgettable trips included a knowledgeable friend or an experienced local guide.
5. Don’t Obsess Over Saving Money
When you’re on vacation, it’s okay to splurge a little. After investing so much time, effort, 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 be once-in-a-lifetime—just to save a few dollars. Surveys show that 13% of travelers feel that travel costs reduced their overall happiness.
6. Seek Meaning
A happy 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, always planning trips down to the last detail; others really struggle to plan their holidays in advance. If you're one of those people, it's okay to admit it — just find someone to help. There are plenty of ways to make your trip enjoyable from the start. Just find the most organized "friend" who knows how to plan a trip and can arrange your journey based on your preferences.
8. Relax your mind
Research shows that three main issues can ruin an otherwise pleasant trip: poor scheduling, unfamiliar destinations, and inconvenient transportation. All of these can cause stress, so you need to plan your itinerary sensibly — don’t overpack it. Check the map before you go to avoid getting lost, or you can simply take a taxi instead of the bus.
9. Follow your heart
If you want to have a pleasant trip, then go somewhere that makes you happy. Choose a place filled with things you love, whether it’s cultural sights, natural scenery, or even small joys like your favorite Italian ice cream — all of these can bring you happiness.