We can’t deny that 2020 has been a tough year in many ways; many people have lost their lives to CoVID-19, many others their jobs, and many of us have had travel canceled, and shutdowns have been hard on our mental health and well-being. Several studies have correlated taking vacations with mental health benefits. These benefits of travel are plentiful. Traveling aids in stress reduction and increases positivity, happiness, and creativity. These are just a few of the many aspects that traveling can help us mentally. But did you know that people who take a vacation or weekend getaway are NOT happiest when they arrive home from a memorable trip full of fond memories, but rather while planning their itinerary?
A Cornell University study showed that the excitement and planning of a trip could increase a person’s happiness levels much more than the anticipation of splurging on material goods. And what does this mean? Well, it implies that even the mere thought of a trip can elevate our mood and do wonders for our state of mind. So, just because there are still some restrictions on travel doesn’t mean you should stop adding destinations to your bucket list and keep planning that future trip or weekend getaway. Your mental health will thank you because travel is good for our mental health.
We’ve always believed planning and preparing for a trip can be almost as enjoyable as the trip itself. And since dreaming about your next adventure could positively benefit your mental health, even if you’re not yet sure when or where that adventure will take place, we’ve taken the license to share with you some tips to start planning your next trip.
How to plan a trip in 2022?
Drawing up an itinerary, searching for a flight, or considering hotels and restaurants in your next vacation destination can, in essence, mentally transport us to the place we’re assessing for our next trip. The trick is to let it do so. We essay writing services online who frequently travel to keep our creativity alive, and we have a lot of experience in it; we recommend planning an itinerary without a lot of details that include, for example, a few hints of places you’d like to visit, activities you’d like to do, a restaurant where to try the typical dish of that destination, or points of interest you’d like to see, but without tying yourself down to making the trip at a specific time so as not to add pressure, stress or anxiety. This way, you can keep dreaming about your next destination and visualize the experiences you will have while researching your future vacations. Essentially, travel with your mind and visualize!
One of our favorite ways to find new travel destinations to pick up in articles on our travel blog is to frequently scour different social networks to see what destinations are currently standing out. We also use social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube to discover new destinations so we can share that information with you. You probably already know that images are powerful, although you may not realize that an image says much more than we think, even mentally. Images quickly transmit information to our brains. They trigger our emotions. They help us learn and remember. But did you know that visuals can also influence our decision-making ability? We suggest you create a favorites folder in your browser or save posts on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or Youtube. Click on places or search by hashtags. We’re confident this will provide you with ideas for your ideal vacation. You may even find unexpected and undiscovered must-haves.
Allow yourself to become lost in your thoughts and dreams as you peruse through images, read blogs, and watch videos of other people’s trips, experiences, and memories. Then add it to your bucket list. And we mean it. Write down that bucket list. Either on paper or by saving a document on your computer, phone, or tablet. There’s nothing worse than remembering those pesky details, especially when you’ve already done the hard work and are on the road to your next destination.
Also read: Instagram Captions for Travel Photos
If you want additional research, you might look for places to stay, transportation options, and even restaurants or pubs to stop after a long trek. A top tip: use Instagram and blogs for this, too, as you’ll get first-person accounts of all those delicious meals and out-of-the-ordinary experiences. Or, if you want to go old school, get yourself a travel guide, paper or digital, and discover the destination at your own pace.
And finally, don’t miss the moments before you board the plane or train to your next destination. Traveling by plane? Include planning your time at the airport as a part of the experience. Would you like to visit the VIP lounge? Do you plan to grab a bite to eat or maybe do some shopping at Duty-Free? Will you want to use the airport’s WiFi? How best to get to the airport with your luggage? All these aspects and much more can be equally important in planning your next trip.
