Be happier — by looking forward to a vacay
February 22, 2010
I’m dreaming of getting away from this dreary grey weather and the daily grind. And so I was particularly intrigued by a new study published in Applied Research in Quality of Life that found that it’s in the time leading up to a vacation that those going away are happier than non-vacationers. Once you’re back home from vacation, your happiness isn’t boosted — although there is a slight rise in your happiness levels for the first two weeks your back home if your vacation was particularly relaxing.
And so I’m throwing myself into planning a vacation in the next month or so. The pic above is now the wallpaper on my computer, and here are just some of the travel essentials I will be packing.
1. Sennheiser‘s brand new PXC-250 II improves on its patented NoiseGard technology to cancel out ambient noise, helping you drown out that crying baby seated behind you on your four-hour flight. (Plus, I think these headphones would be mighty handy escaping the surroundings on public transit every day, too — dude next to me on the streetcar yesterday was drinking a 40-oz beer. For real).
2. And what will I be listening to on my PXC-250 II’s? The new This American Life iPhone app is just $3 and you get access to all of their archived episodes (dating back to 1995!), not to mention view sample clips of the TAL TV show. A girlfriend and I were chatting about how we are both majorly crushing on host Ira Glass, he’s just so everything — funny, intelligent, witty…sigh.
3. I often don’t pack beauty tools like tweezers when I go away…and then inevitably find myself with a broken nail or that one errant brow hair that glares out at me whenever I look in the mirror. My Tagalongs Handywoman’s Kit ($12) solves both of these problems. It comes complete with scissors, knife, tweezers, nail file, toothpick and pen, all packed into a kit barely bigger than a credit card.
4. Somehow tweezers seem too fussy to bring with me on a trip, and yet I do make space in my luggage for a candle — just makes the hotel room a little homier. My new favourite? The Citrus Verveine travel candle ($20) from San Fran-based company Elizabeth W. Could be because I’m a little Vampire Diaries-obsessed lately…although the verveine would keep Damon Salvatore out of my room — maybe I should consider a different scented candle. 
Filed under: Beauty Swellness,Culture,Travel Swellness
12 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Miriam | February 22, 2010 at 10:59 AM
You’ve got me curious about that verveine scented candle…I’m obsessed wtht the Vampire Diaries too although Stefan Salvatore is the one I swoon for.
2.
CC | February 26, 2010 at 10:37 AM
oooh, LOVE Vampire Diaries!!
3.
Janine | February 27, 2010 at 10:29 AM
I need a vacation as much as I need Ian Somerhalder and his Rob-Lowe-esque prettiness with edge. That would be A LOT. Love that I’m not alone in my appreciation for The Vampire Diaries (which I was about to short-form as VD, but no). Feeds my couch-cougar tendencies.
4. 10 Risky Foods via Karen &hellip | March 1, 2010 at 8:46 AM
[…] deadlines in order to elevate the trip at least to a workation. A couple of things on Karen’s take-on-vacation list should help. One in particular is a no brainer as a hot travel companion which, although risky to […]
5. Make it a quickie «&hellip | August 16, 2010 at 10:51 AM
[…] 16, 2010 Besides the time leading up to a vacation being the most happy time, it seems that taking frequent short vacations rather than a longer holiday once a year, for […]
6.
Jen Melo | October 14, 2010 at 4:18 PM
Damon, Stefan. Why choose? Both are delightful in their own ways
7.
healthandswellness | October 14, 2010 at 4:26 PM
I like how you think! I dunno, Stefan just doesn’t do it for me…
8.
Jen Melo | October 14, 2010 at 4:27 PM
K, fine. Then you can have Damon. More Stefan for me
9.
healthandswellness | October 14, 2010 at 4:33 PM
No problem! (although I know some ladies you might have to duel)
10.
Jen Melo | October 14, 2010 at 4:37 PM
Tell me about it! Elena’s my #1 target
I’m hoping Caroline will go nuts and bite her or something. How funny is she as a vampire?
11.
healthandswellness | October 14, 2010 at 5:23 PM
I know!
Watch out for Katherine, though!
12. Vacations are essential &&hellip | January 6, 2011 at 10:54 AM
[…] planning and looking forward to a vacay can make you happier, going on a holiday is helpful if you have a huge, seemingly impossible decision to make. It seems […]
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