Prior to COVID-19, Expedia’s annual study that examines trends and attitudes around taking time off revealed vacation deprivation levels were already on the rise in the U.S., yet the benefits of travel were widely understood and appreciated. According to a 2020 study of 1,500 Expedia travelers, traveling promotes general well-being by 93 percent, gives us a chance to hit the “reset” button on stress and anxiety by 91 percent, improves our attitudes by 86 percent and helps us switch off from work by 83 percent. Together these positive effects foster a psychological condition that could be described as a Vacation State of Mind, and it extends far beyond the trip itself.
The remedy parents and working adults use to curb that “I need a vacation” feeling is one we can all subscribe to on a daily basis or as often as needed. According to the study, these are the most effective ways to evoke a vacation state of mind without physically traveling:
Talk to friends and family about a vacation/vacation memory, especially those you traveled with
Look at photos and videos from your trip
Share memories with those you’ve traveled with
Wear clothes (76%) and use souvenirs you bought on vacation
Listen to music that reminds you of the vacation
Start planning your next vacation
Cook the local cuisine or a meal that reminds you of a past trip
Other ways to achieve a vacation state of mind
As a substitute for our favorite destinations and activities, virtual experiences have become a pillar of entertainment during and after the pandemic. Get curious and dig into the resources that are all around you to create the mindset and feeling of being well-traveled.
Words by Alexis Tiacoh of Expedia.com
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