In this age of COVID, most people have cancelled vacation plans and are waiting for the pandemic to subside before traveling again. The tenuous financial health of airlines, hotels, and cruise lines makes this quite clear. Also, a fair number of my business acquaintances usually attend at least two or three professional conferences each year. No one knows if anything useful actually occurs at these professional conferences, but they always seem to take place in San Diego, Las Vegas, or Miami. For some reason, they never are scheduled in Dubuque, Schenectady, or Possum Flats. My business friends tell me attending a “virtual” conference via computer on the dining room table is not nearly as fulfilling — although I suspect their livers are thankful.
Anyway, a recent survey found that simply planning a trip can help boost a person’s happiness and reduce stress. The study was conducted by the Institute for Applied Positive Research. (I wonder if there is an Institute for Applied Negative Research? In our current crazy culture, they’d have a lot more things to investigate.)
The study found that 97 percent of respondents say when they have a trip planned, it makes them happier. Additionally, just talking about planning a trip — even if you don’t make any reservations yet — can boost a person’s frame of mind. The report also noted that Americans are experiencing the lowest level of happiness in 50 years due to the ongoing pandemic and lockdowns.
Personally, I haven’t traveled for almost one full year. I typically fly somewhere for work or vacation about four times per year. So, it’s obvious that I need, at the very least, to TALK about planning a trip. The first thing I should do is remember all the wonderful experiences I’ve had while traveling. Here’s a short list:
One winter many years ago, my wife and I flew to Florida for a vacation. But mechanical problems caused our flight from Hartford to be delayed, which made us miss our connecting flight in Charlotte. So, instead of getting to Florida at 1 p.m., we arrived close to midnight. We were famished, but every restaurant and grocery store within a 100 mile radius was closed. The condo we were staying at had exactly 3 stale saltine crackers in a kitchen cabinet and a jar of mustard in the fridge. I discovered that when you’re hungry, you’ll eat anything.
The study found that 97 percent of respondents say when they have a trip planned, it makes them happier. Additionally, just talking about planning a trip — even if you don’t make any reservations yet — can boost a person’s frame of mind. The report also noted that Americans are experiencing the lowest level of happiness in 50 years due to the ongoing pandemic and lockdowns.
Personally, I haven’t traveled for almost one full year. I typically fly somewhere for work or vacation about four times per year. So, it’s obvious that I need, at the very least, to TALK about planning a trip. The first thing I should do is remember all the wonderful experiences I’ve had while traveling. Here’s a short list:
One winter many years ago, my wife and I flew to Florida for a vacation. But mechanical problems caused our flight from Hartford to be delayed, which made us miss our connecting flight in Charlotte. So, instead of getting to Florida at 1 p.m., we arrived close to midnight. We were famished, but every restaurant and grocery store within a 100 mile radius was closed. The condo we were staying at had exactly 3 stale saltine crackers in a kitchen cabinet and a jar of mustard in the fridge. I discovered that when you’re hungry, you’ll eat anything.
A few years ago, I brought some clients to visit a factory in the Midwest. Thunderstorms caused our flight to be diverted, and again a connecting flight was missed. We ended up scrambling to find a couple of seedy motel rooms near the Atlanta airport, and after about three hours of sleep, we got up at 4 a.m. to head back to the airport and try again.
One time on a business trip, one of my clients came down with the flu, and while the rest of us were attending seminars, he spent the whole day sleeping in the back seat of the rental car. On the way home, we practically had to carry him through O’Hare Airport to catch our connecting flight. (Again with those darn connecting flights!)
One time on a business trip, one of my clients came down with the flu, and while the rest of us were attending seminars, he spent the whole day sleeping in the back seat of the rental car. On the way home, we practically had to carry him through O’Hare Airport to catch our connecting flight. (Again with those darn connecting flights!)
On a different vacation in Florida, my wife got stung by a bee. Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem since she’s not allergic, but this one must’ve been a super venomous tropical yellowjacket. After her foot swelled up and looked like a loaf of Italian bread with toes, we spent an entire day at an emergency healthcare clinic.
You know, that study was right. Just talking about my travel adventures has put me in a better mood. I am very happy right now — happy that I have NO travel plans for the foreseeable future!
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