On World Happiness Day, something as prized as the pursuit of happiness still seems a distant dream for many. While development is imperative to any country's growth, it should not be at the expense of individual happiness. The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, among other initiatives, aims at boosting happiness by identifying areas that need work. Every year, when the annual World Happiness Report is released, Indians hope to see their country climbing the ladder, only to feel disdained with no improvement in ranking.
India ranked 126 among 143 countries surveyed in 2024, which reflects a lack of emotional security in our way of life, contrary to Finland, the happiest country in the world. Community-bonding exercises and a strong work-life balance cater to the Finnish's happiness quotient.
Meanwhile, the struggle for a healthy work-life relationship in India still lingers due to workplace pressure and personal challenges. The burnout eventually makes people take a break from routine, sometimes in the wild and sometimes amid the ocean's azure. Resorting to travel helps them balance their existence in a reckless world.
Travel today is a therapeutic experience, calming our chaos and propelling us towards things that make us feel at ease. "Even short breaks help me relax, unwind, and reorganise my thoughts. They work as great mood enhancers, helping me keep stress at bay," senior travel writer Purnima Sharma told Outlook Traveller.
Delving into the Indian work culture, she emphasised how a balanced lifestyle is essential for a happy wellbeing, underlining that more people recognise the benefits of travel today. "Unlike a few decades ago, when employers would frown upon their staff taking (even short) breaks, many organisations today encourage employees to take leave and get back rejuvenated, improving work performance and productivity," added Sharma.
For Rakesh Pant of Trek The Himalayas, travelling means improved mental health, reduced stress, and personal growth. The experience has a lot to do with healing and self discovery. "Trekking takes me beyond my comfort zone, bringing new adventures, challenges, and perspectives. I have grown so much as an individual that I now value problem-solving skills over negative self-talk," he added.
The unwinding trails serve as a glimmer of hope whenever he is caught between the ebb and flow of life. They may not be an instant solution to the problem but a pause to reflect on the next course of action.
When asked to rate his happiness quotient after a trip, Pant joyfully mentioned how it's always a perfect 10 or even more. For him, every trip is a collection of experiences, lessons, and insights that stay with him even after the journey ends. Agreeing that the happiness quotient can not be measured in numbers, Sharma summarised how a splendid vacation is about making way for another. "The best time to take a holiday is after a holiday. Thoughts like 'Why did the holiday have to end so fast? ' are brushed aside when you realise that the positive effects of the vacation are not just about seeking a break from routine but are more lasting, till the next happy vacation beckons."
More importantly, a holiday, besides the many adventures, is a way to introspect and make one appreciate life while problems persist. "Very often, after a good break, one feels that a ‘new self’ has emerged due to the exposure to different lifestyles and cultures that invariably help foster personal growth," Sharma reiterated.
Clinical Psychologist Prachi Saxena suggests that travelling can be a way to beat stress. However, it is not the ultimate remedy for internal battles and mental health. "As a therapist, I'm careful not to suggest travel as an avoidance strategy. We don't want to create a 'destination addiction' that makes us believe that our happiness lies somewhere else away from our current life. That adds to a sense of helplessness."
One can not use travel to escape life, that is, in this moment, in the traumas and healing. Saxena further shared that the chances of plunging one further into a low phase increase once the vacation ends. Therefore, it is ideal to consider travel as the catalyst that refuels psychological resources so that people return to daily life with a refreshed mindset and handle life well.
And in all its likeliness, travelling is not an antidote to our problems. "It can be a powerful tool for reducing stress and overthinking, but not in the way of escaping them—it is all about resetting our emotions and returning with a refreshed mindset," added Emotional and Mental Health therapist Arouba Kabir. The process is all about inner exploration, healing, and growing, she asserted.
The more one travels, the higher the probability of their "feel-good" hormones being triggered. From dopamine, which gives us a mood boost, to the happy hormone serotonin, the human body slows down and taps into its true self once it begins charting new territories.
While taking a break has many therapeutic benefits, experts believe a vacation cannot counter a problem if we don't learn how to cope. "Travelling can help us take a break to catch our breath and build psychological resources to come back to life and re-attempt a new, healthier coping mechanism to deal with problems at hand from the root instead of just avoiding them for a few days," said Saxena.
Echoing the same sentiment, Divya Negi from Healing Himalayas believes that more people are travelling today due to the growing recognition of travel’s mental health benefits. Her travel tales have pushed her out of her comfort zone and tapped into a journey of self-exploration and reinvention.