We all have bad days sometimes. It's just part of life.
In fact, yesterday was a little rough for me - I got shaken down by some corrupt transit workers in Budapest who took my metro ticket and forced me to pay a fine.
Outnumbered 3 to 1 and in a rush to catch a train to Bratislava, and after I realized they weren't going to budge, I just reluctantly paid the fine... though I have a trick up my sleeve to get my money back... more on that in a future newsletter.
Anyway, I was in a pretty bad mood for most of the day. But there's something about travel that makes it hard to stay upset for too long.
Immediately after getting on the train, I had some complicated bookings to make for the India leg of my trip (it's gonna be pretty crazy). Looking at the different airlines, hotels, and activities, and thinking about the new cities I would see in just a few short weeks really just boosted my mood immediately.
As it turns out, that's quite common.
In a 2013 World Tourism & Travel Council study, 80% of participants said that travel improves their general mood and outlook on life. 75% of them also said that travel helps to reduce stress.
And I'm not just talking about sitting on the beach in Cancun sipping piña coladas and getting caught in the rain. In fact, studies have shown that most of the happiness related to travel occurs both before and after the trip itself. The anticipation of the trip, the sense of wonder, and the thought of seeing something new all have a profound effect on our mental well-being.
Of course, the trip itself also has similar effects on us. Experiencing new cultures, dealing with language barriers, and the novelty that comes with travel all make our brains work in healthy ways.
What I'm trying to say is this: when you're having a bad day, spend some time thinking about a trip you have coming up or a trip you'd really like to have. Then read the Daily Drop to learn how to make it a reality 🙂