Analysis: Travel supports mental health

The latest survey by the online travel provider Opodo among 10.000 respondents in international markets - 1.000 of them from Germany - shows the effects of travel on our state of mind and what supports our mental well-being the most when we take a trip.

Opodo survey results show that a majority of respondents globally perceive a “very positive” or “fairly positive” impact of travel on their mental well-being. In Germany, Generation Y (35-44 year olds) report the highest percentage of very positive effects at 72%. Globally, respondents in the US see the least benefit of vacationing for their peace of mind, while Italians and Portuguese rate it the most positively:

• 63% of all respondents worldwide say that the holiday has had a “very positive” effect on their mental well-being, with a further 29% reporting a “fairly positive” effect – for a total of 92%.
• In Germany, 35 percent of 44 to 72-year-olds stated that the holiday had a “very positive” effect.
• Portuguese (79%) and Italians (78%) have the highest percentage of travelers rating the impact as “very positive,” compared to just 42% of Americans.

'Doing nothing': the key to inner balance

Opodo's survey also asked which activities promote mental well-being the most while on vacation. The results are revealing: Most travelers indicated that simply pausing and “doing nothing” had the greatest positive impact. Reading comes second – holidays are perhaps the only time many of us take serious time for our books and this is where the Brits outperform other nationalities. Young people find new experiences and adventurous activities appealing - and the oldest responding age group finds that meeting new people has a positive impact on their well-being:

• The overwhelming majority - 42% globally - say "relaxing and doing nothing" is the most beneficial of all activities, followed by sightseeing (35%) and reading (19%).
• 31% of UK respondents named reading as the second most important holiday activity, compared to 17% in Germany, 13% in France and 14% in Portugal.
• 24% of global respondents aged 18-24 expect mental benefits from adventurous activities, compared to just 14% of 45-54 year olds.
• 29% of Germans in the oldest age group (65 and over) say that reading on holiday has a positive impact on their mental health - compared to just 11% of 18-24 year olds.

TOP TEN holiday activities of Germans to strengthen their own well-being

• Relax and do nothing - 54%
• Sightseeing – 32%
• Engage in adventurous activities – 18%
• listening to music – 17%
• Play sports – 17%
• Reading – 17%
• Meet new people – 12%
• Partying (going out, drinking) – 10%
• Practicing yoga and/or meditation – 7%
• Art (e.g. painting, drawing) – 4%