Travel makes you happier and the science behind it
The pursuit of happiness… sanctified in American law and sought after by all nationalities. It’s no surprise to us, and doubtfully to you either, that travel may be the key to happiness: it’s even been proven scientifically.
Does money really buy happiness?
We all pretty much subscribe to the idea that money makes us happier, but once our basic needs are met (food in our belly and a roof over our head), it seems that that is pretty much the extent of things. Thus, the question is how do we spend our money since, for most of us, we only have a limited amount of it.
There is a logical assumption that most people unconsciously consider when buying something; a physical object will, in the minds of most of us, last longer in time and will thus make us happier as compared to a fleeting moment such as a trip to the museum or a trip. But let’s dig a little deeper….according to a recent study, it appears that this unconscious logic is utterly false.
Routine, a threat to happiness
“One of the enemies of happiness is routine” according to Dr. Thomas Gilovich, a professor of psychology at Cornell University. The study, which took place over a period of 20 years, took a look at the link between money and happiness and concluded the following: “We buy things to be happy, and it works. But only for a little bit. Our new acquisitions seem great in the beginning, but then we get used to having them and using them.”
So rather than buying the latest Macbook or state-of-the-art home theater system, Gilovich suggest that to be happier, we should spend our money on travel and other unforgettable experiences.
Gilovich’s research led him to join the economic school of thought known as the Easterlin Paradox which states that money does indeed buy happiness, but not for the longterm.
To measure the link between routine and happiness, Gilovich asked participants to assess their level of satisfaction with certain material and immaterial purchases. Initially, satisfaction levels for these two types of purchases were more or less equal. But over time, the individuals surveyed were less satisfied with their material purchases whereas satisfaction with experiences increased over time.
Gilovich states that “our experiences represent a major part of who we are compared to our material purchases .” You may love material things. You may even think that a part of your identity is tied to these objects , but they are physical things , independent of yourself. On the other hand, your experiences are an integral part of the person you are. We are the result of experiences. “
This same study also showed that if an individual has an experience which negatively impacted the happiness in that particular moment, once given the chance to talk it out, satisfaction levels rise. Gilovich explains this by the fact that a situation might once seem stressful or frightening but can be a good story to tell friends or can even be regarded as a formative experience for the future.
Sharing, an essential ingredient in the recipe for happiness
A shared experience brings us together more so than a purchase . We are more inclined to feel close, for example, to someone who has climbed Mont Blanc rather than someone who bought the same car.
Gilovich thinks that when we experience with others, once the moments have passed, these people become part of the stories we tell to others . And even if no one was there to share those special moments with us, we are far more likely to reach out to others if we share a common experience, rather than if we have the same things as they have.
Materialism pits us against one another
Studies show that you are also less likely to compare yourself to others when it comes to experiences than when it comes to purchased objects. According to a study by Ryan Howell and Graham Hill, it is easier to compare what others have to what you possess since you can easily fix a dollar amount on these comparisons : that sparking swimming pool in the back yard for example.
Gilovich mentions that “this comparison phenomenon is even more pronounced when it comes to material goods versus moments lived .” Of course, meeting people who stay in a better hotel or traveling in first class may bring about a twinge of jealousy, but this greed will never be as great as that caused by material objects. Let he who has not envied the neighbor’s mansion and ogled at their Mercedes A-Class cast the first stone.
Travel: the secret to happiness!
Be it alone or alongside one another, traveling is one of those exceptional moments in life that is guaranteed to make memorable experiences. Setting out on unknown adventures is without a doubt a must-d0, and the proof is in the pudding (and scientifically backed for that matter): traveling is sure to leave you a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that is priceless !
