7 ways to evoke a vacation state of mind

Staying home has become the new norm as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the accompanying restrictions have momentarily put a stop to most nonessential travel. An Expedia® poll of 1,500 U.S. residents, conducted between May 4 and 8, 2020, shows 60% of people have already changed or canceled their travel plans and another 70% are worried about outbreaks impacting future trips.

Prior to COVID-19, Expedia’s annual study that examines trends and attitudes around taking time off revealed vacation deprivation levels were already on the rise in the U.S., yet the benefits of travel were widely understood and appreciated.

Traveling promotes general well-being (93%), gives us a chance to hit the “reset” button on stress and anxiety (91%), improves our attitudes (86%) and helps us switch off from work (83%). Together these positive effects foster a psychological condition that could be described as a Vacation State of Mind, and it extends far beyond the trip itself.

The remedy parents and working adults use to curb that “I need a vacation” feeling is one we can all subscribe to right now. According to the study, these are the most effective ways to evoke a vacation state of mind without physically traveling:

1. Talk to friends and family about a vacation/vacation memory, especially those you traveled with (90%)

2. Look at photos and videos from your trip (89%)

3. Share memories with those you’ve traveled with (88%)

4. Wear clothes (76%) and use souvenirs you bought on vacation (76%)

5. Listen to music that reminds you of the vacation (66%)

6. Start planning your next vacation (62%)

7. Cook the local cuisine or a meal that reminds you of a past trip (52%)

“At Expedia, we’ve always believed in the power of travel to create joy, to bring people together, to enrich our hearts and minds,” says Nisreene Atassi, Senior Director for Brand Expedia. “We’re all experiencing a bit of cabin fever right now, dreaming of our next vacation, even if we don’t know when that will be. Until then, we want to help travelers achieve the same benefits of a vacation from the comforts of home and our research shows that looking at photos from past trips, or even just talking to your friends and family is powerful enough to trigger a Vacation State of Mind.”

Other ways to achieve a vacation state of mind

As a substitute for our favorite destinations and activities, virtual experiences have become a pillar of entertainment during the pandemic. Whether it’s a national park, museum or live performance, we’ve got you covered with Expedia’s Things To Do From Home. Another way to escape and stay inspired by travel is to listen to one of Expedia’s Travel Playlists, curated from top destinations all across the globe.