Happiness and Vacations

‘The world’s big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.’ – John Muir

One of my fondest memories was spending summer vacations (a three-month period of vacation from school due to summer temperatures soaring over 50 degrees Celsius in the Middle East) in India. We would plan the trip months in advance, put aside the items we wanted to gift family members when we visited them, made shopping lists of items we wanted to buy after we arrived in the country – I particularly loved making a list of the local food items I wanted to taste. The whole project had me shivering with excitement.

Returning home, felt different altogether: a refreshing reset we all needed. Then we’d go back to our daily grind.

So, what has a vacation have to do with happiness? Let me explain.

The simple act of getting out of the house and enjoying a change of scenery can do wonders for your mindset. You deceive your brain into thinking things aren’t the same.

Because, let me tell you, they’re definitely not!

Trapped between the same four walls (whether office or home or both), makes the brain believe whatever you are going through in life – your experiences, your thoughts, your emotions, your reactions – the constant repetitiveness of your situation causes a loop that ensnares your brain.

Consequently, because your external experience is the same day-in and day-out, your brain convinces you nothing can change internally.

Everything you think, know and imagine comes from the information you have gathered over the years. Therefore, if you don’t give yourself the opportunity to explore the alternatives, learn more ideas, meet different kinds of people, then you’ll always do what you’ve always done. A quote from Henry Ford tells us where that road leads: ‘If You Always Do What You’ve Always Done, You’ll Always Get What You’ve Always Got.’

‘Frequency of satisfied travel’ is the key.

So, you can take as many vacations as months in the year, but only the rewarding experiences affect life satisfaction. Travelling overseas and staying in a fancy hotel to attend a work conference for the duration of your stay is not likely to do that. Neither is going on a vacation with your family to then spend your time answering emails and work calls. On the other hand, travelling to a destination close at hand to stay in a motel adjacent to a theme park might be the most satisfying vacation ever.

Planning new adventures leaves no time for ruminating over past unpleasantness. Your mind is occupied with this new project to go somewhere and share fun with the people you love.

Rest and recreation:

·      lowers levels of stress which, in turn, results in a calmer you!

·      improves relationships by encouraging bonds with your travelling companion(s).

·      expands the power of your mind – a reset helps the brain become less overworked.

·      develops better memory due to more brain power.

·      promotes pleasant feelings about your vacation, which have positive effects that last for approximately five weeks after your return.

·      Improves your quality of sleep.

·      enhances your creative streak through exposure to different people, cultures, sceneries, experiences and stories or wakes up the dormant creativity within you.

Expense is holding you back?

Check out your local travel outlets or information centres for activities they recommend to visitors from outside your area. Or simply spend time in nature. You’ll be amazed at how relaxing a walk in the forest or on a beach can be for a person.

A common global impact of COVID meant the population was stuck indoors. During their enforced confinement, some people have come up with ingenious ways of experiencing virtual excursions and tours; a great way to let the mind wander free while the body is trapped within four walls.

So, take that break, switch off those screens and put aside work. Thrust your feet into outdoors shoes and head out. Become fully immersed in the activity and have fun. Because that is the key. Building positive memories and experiences create agreeable thoughts to dwell on when your mind is idle and prone to wander down unpleasant alleyways.

Cracking the Happiness Code by Dr Pamela Stoodley, RRP $29.99