This article is written in conjunction with The UK Holiday Group.

We all know that going on holiday can make us feel better. But what is the psychology behind this? There has been an increase in interest in research in this area over the last decade. This article looks at some of the positive psychological effects going on holiday can have. 

Social interaction: A range of studies have highlighted how holidays help to create new social interactions, increase satisfaction with social contacts, increase connection, and lower loneliness[i].    It has been suggested that during holidays, people can be more open minded and relaxed, which helps them to better understand others and deepen their relationships[ii].  Social interaction with others on holiday was recently found to be the most important factor in people’s wellbeing increasing afterwards.[iii]

Stress:   A study at the Icahn School of medicine[iv] found that a holiday can have an immediate  effect on the molecular networks associated with stress and immune pathways.   They examined changes in 20,000 gene markers taken from blood samples of holiday makers to determine the impact the holiday on them.   They found there was a positive impact on stress reduction and the boosting the immune system which lasted for at least a month.

The importance of recovery from work as a means to reduce stress and increase satisfaction for individuals has also been identified in research, and taking holidays is one way to do this[v]. Many individuals do not have sufficient recovery time due to working overtime or pressure to work outside of working hours, which can lead to adverse health consequences. 

Cognitive functioning:   Going on holiday provides opportunities for social communication, gaining knowledge, learning skills, appreciation of history and culture, and experiencing of different attitudes.  All of these can help stimulate cognitive function[vi].  People who engaged in activities which stimulated their cognitive abilities such as reading, planning trips or orienting to new places also recorded higher levels of wellbeing[vii].  

One study used cognitive measures on individuals who went on holiday and found increased ability in the areas of attention, processing speed, visual scanning and motor speed two weeks after[viii].  This is believed to be because the rehabilitative element of holidays can have a restorative effect on cognitive functioning.

Rumination and overthinking:  It has been found that when individuals travelled for holidays their rumination thinking reduced, whilst their sense of wellbeing increased[ix].  They slept more, and engaged in greater physical and social activities than individuals did on free evenings from work.  It was concluded that physical distance from home may relate to mental distance from worries.

Quality of life: One study identified the relationship between holidays increasing satisfaction with life, self-perceived health and capacity to engage in day to day tasks for adults[x].   It identified a cycle of good physical health leading seniors to be more likely to go on holiday, but that participation in the holiday also contributed to a longer term healthy lifestyle. 

Increasing positive emotions: In adults, research has found a link between the number of activities engaged in on holiday and benefits including relaxation, enjoyment and excitement[xi].  This happened across a range of activities, both physical and social. 

Coach holidays can include trips to some of the UK’s most stunning outdoor scenery.  Harvard Medical School[xii] have identified a number of mental health benefits from spending time outside.

• Levels of happiness increase due to the increased levels of natural light.  Physical activity in nature has been shown to relax and increase feelings of happiness.  This is known as “green exercise”. 
• Vitamin D levels increase on sunny days.  Research has found that Vitamin D may have protective effects against osteoporosis, depression, heart attacks and stroke.
• It can help concentration.  Studies with children have found that a walk through the park increased levels of concentration .  Although studies in this area have focused mainly on children, there is evidence growing evidence that being outside can aid concentration for everyone.
• It may help with pain.  Researchers have found that spinal surgery patients exposed to natural light during treatment reported less pain and stress and took less pain medications during their recovery.

References

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[i] Toepoel, V. (2013). Ageing, leisure, and social connectedness: How could leisure help reduce social isolation of older people?. Social indicators research, 113, 355-372.

[ii] Moal–Ulvoas, G., & Taylor, V. A. (2014). The spiritual benefits of travel for senior tourists. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 13(6), 453-462.

[iii] Agrigoroaei, S., Diekmann, A., & Luminet, O. The Holiday-related Predictors of Wellbeing in Seniors.

[iv] Epel, E. S., Puterman, E., Lin, J., Blackburn, E. H., Lum, P. Y., Beckmann, N. D., … & Schadt, E. E. (2016). Meditation and vacation effects have an impact on disease-associated molecular phenotypes. Translational psychiatry, 6(8), e880-e880.

[v] De Bloom, J., Kompier, M., Geurts, S., De Weerth, C., Taris, T., & Sonnentag, S. (2009). Do we recover from vacation? Meta‐analysis of vacation effects on health and well‐being. Journal of occupational health, 51(1), 13-25.

[vi] Gu, D., Zhu, H., Brown, T., Hoenig, H., & Zeng, Y. (2016). Tourism experiences and self-rated health among older adults in China. Journal of Aging and Health, 28(4), 675-703.

[vii] Agrigoroaei, S., Diekmann, A., & Luminet, O. The Holiday-related Predictors of Wellbeing in Seniors.

[viii] Packer, J. (2021). Taking a break: Exploring the restorative benefits of short breaks and vacations. Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights, 2(1), 100006.

[ix] De Bloom, J., Nawijn, J., Geurts, S., Kinnunen, U., & Korpela, K. (2017). Holiday travel, staycations, and subjective well-being. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(4), 573-588.

[x] Ferrer, J. G., Sanz, M. F., Ferrandis, E. D., McCabe, S., & García, J. S. (2016). Social tourism and healthy ageing. International Journal of Tourism Research, 18(4), 297-307.

[xi] Nimrod, G., & Rotem, A. (2010). Between relaxation and excitement: activities and benefits gained in retirees’ tourism. International Journal of Tourism Research, 12(1), 65–78.

[xii] https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/a-prescription-for-better-health-go-alfresco

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