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AttractionTickets.com partner with Psychologist, Dr Jo Gee (PhD) to uncover why an adventure holiday might be the answer to burnout
91% of adults1 reported high or extreme levels of stress in 2023, so taking extra steps to look after our wellbeing is increasingly important. And, with the wellness tourism sector labelled as the fastest growing2, it’s clear that we’re turning to our holidays for the answer.
While yoga or meditation may spring to mind when you envisage a ‘wellness retreat’, a new type of wellness trend is rapidly on the rise, and experts have coined it Dopamine Travel.
To explore the trend, AttractionTickets.com spoke with Psychologist, Dr Jo Gee (PhD), to uncover why we’re all going to be hitting the theme parks and slopes in pursuit of wellness this year.
What is Dopamine Travel?
Dr Jo Gee explains: “The change of scenery and adventurous nature of an active holiday can
lead to an all encompassing change in the dominant neurotransmitters in our brain, triggering releases of dopamine, as well as serotonin and adrenaline. It’s this effect of certain holidays that has coined a new travel trend – Dopamine Travel.
“We often see that a complete distraction from everyday life through holidays that promote meaning or growth have been proven to increase feelings of wellbeing, as well as increases in performance and general activity level. The effects of these positive benefits have been reported as lasting up to eight weeks, post holiday. This is particularly present for outdoor trips such as mountaineering or skiing where a sense of accomplishment can lead to long lasting increases in self esteem and confidence.”
Just as the “dopamine dressing” trend encourages clothing in bright, bold colours, our surroundings can also play a vital role. Oliver Brendon, CEO of AttractionTickets.com adds: “The dopamine travel trend is centred around immersing yourself in vibrant landscapes, which is why the brightly-coloured theme parks such as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort make such popular destinations. Plus, you’re set for a big dose of dopamine while riding popular roller coasters such as the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal Islands of Adventure.
“For more mindful moments, surrounding yourself in nature can create a sense of adventure and escapism unlike traditional wellness retreats. Consider choosing experiences like swimming with sea life or the tranquil lazy river at Discovery Cove.”
How long should a holiday be?
Dr Jo Gee says: “We often see that the impact on wellbeing from a holiday peaks on the eighth day. With this in mind, we recommend holidays should be a minimum of eight days, to ensure we gain maximum benefit.”
But it’s not just the holiday itself that can give us a boost. Jo explains the importance of having a trip planned in: “The anticipation prior to a holiday can also help to boost feelings of joy and happiness and can actually reap more benefits in brain activity than the adventure holiday itself, so make sure to plan your holidays in advance.”
If you’re ready for a hit of dopamine with your holiday this summer, there are options for all age groups at AttractionTickets.com including Discovery Cove, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.
