Study: Frequent Traveling Makes People Happier

Category: Health

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. destination / ˌdɛs təˈneɪ ʃən / (n) – the place where someone or something travels to
    Example:

    It took us three hours to reach our destination.


  2. barely / ˈbɛər li / (adv) – almost not at all
    Example:

    She was writing her report all night and barely got any sleep.


  3. meaningful / ˈmi nɪŋ fəl / (adj) – having value or importance
    Example:

    The organization’s soup kitchen had a meaningful impact on the community.


  4. loosen / ˈlu sən / (v) – to become less strict
    Example:

    The new president wants to loosen travel restrictions.


  5. spark / spɑrk / (v) – to cause something to happen
    Example:

    The controversial new law sparked a debate online.


Article

Read the text below.

A recent study has found that frequent traveling makes people happier with their lives.


Previous studies on traveling have looked into how it affects people’s stress levels and overall health. However, most of these studies focused on the benefits of only a single vacation. The new research takes it a step further by examining how frequent travel can impact one’s happiness and wellness.


The researchers asked 500 adults about the amount of time they spent planning future vacations, the frequency of trips they took in a year, and the importance of traveling for them. The respondents were also asked about how satisfied they were with their lives.


Of all the participants, more than half reported that they traveled for leisure over four times a year, while 7% went on very few vacations or none at all. Results of the survey showed that those who traveled to destinations that are at least 120 kilometers away from their homes reported that they were happier compared to those who barely went on vacation.


The study’s authors explained that people who usually travel are likely to feel more satisfied with their lives because traveling often comes with new experiences. They noted that the accumulation of these experiences could have a meaningful impact on people’s lives.


The study could also have important implications for when current pandemic travel restrictions are loosened in the future. The lead author of the study said that travel companies, tourist destinations, and airlines could launch campaigns to spark discussion about the health benefits of going on vacation.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• After reading the article, would you like to travel more in the future? Why or why not?
• Do you agree that people need to travel far to be happy? Why or why not?

Discussion B

• Who do you think are the least likely to travel frequently in a year (e.g. busy parents, the elderly)? Why? Discuss.
• What can people who can’t travel frequently do to gain new meaningful experiences (e.g. do volunteer work, try new hobbies)? Discuss.