Holidays ‘can help you live longer’

LONDON - Taking that much needed break from work can do more than relax you - it can increase the number of years you live.

The new study shows that taking a holiday can also make you a lot happier.

Dr Sebastian Filep, an expert in travel and wellbeing at Victoria University, found that motivations for travel, experiences at the destination and the post-holiday reflection all contributed to the pleasure of a jaunt abroad.

While the first caused positive emotions in the traveller, the second gave them a sense of purpose and the third a sense of involvement - all key ingredients of happiness.

“I see an opportunity for a greater connection between tourism and health where holidays become a more important factor in leading a healthy lifestyle,” The Daily Mail quoted Filep as saying.

“Happiness is the opposite of depression. If thinking about a holiday, going on a holiday and remembering a holiday plays a role in making people happy, than I certainly think prescribing holidays or travel could help beat depression,” he added. (ANI)