Wanna get happy? Hit the road (but not until it's safe).
Researchers at Washington State University found that frequent travelers are happier people. People who regularly travel at least 75-miles from home report being about 7% happier when asked abou tthei roverall well-being.
"Previous studies have examined the stress relief, health and wellness benefits of tourism experiences, but they have tended to examine the effect of a single trip or vacation. Asst. Professor Chun-Chu Chen’s research takes these previous studies one step further by looking at the sustained benefits of travel over the course of a year."
The research team also found people who pay more attention to tourism-related information and frequently discuss their travel plans with friends are more likely to take regular vacations than those who aren't in the planning process.
"Based on the results of the study, Chen said travel companies, resorts and even airlines could launch social media campaigns, such as creating hashtags about the scientific benefits of vacation, to spark people’s interest in discussing their opinions about travel."
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