Can travel actually make us happier?
We often think of travel as a break from real life – but what if it’s actually the key to living a more fulfilling one?
Research shows that true happiness comes from filling three essential “buckets”: vitality, connection, and contribution.
And travel, when approached with intention, has the power to fill all three.
In this article, we’ll explore how travel boosts physical and mental well-being, deepens our relationships, and gives us the chance to make a meaningful impact.
If you’re a travel coach (or an aspiring one), this framework can help you guide clients toward more purpose-driven adventures that actually enhance their happiness – long after the trip is over.
About the Author: Sahara Rose DeVore
Hi, I’m Sahara Rose DeVore
I’m a world traveler turned entrepreneur, and the founder of The Travel Coach Network and the first ICF-accredited Travel Coach Certification Program™.
After solo traveling to 84+ countries and building a purpose-driven travel business, I now empower fellow wanderers and wanderlusters to turn their passion for travel into meaningful, impactful careers.
My work has been featured in 175+ media outlets including Forbes, CNN Travel, and Condé Nast Traveller.
Learn more about me and The Travel Coach Network when you click here.
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The Three Buckets of Happiness
Studies show that there are three buckets to fill that lead to increased happiness which are vitality, connection, and contribution, all which can be found through travel.
The Bucket of Vitality
Vitality is both physically and mentally.
When we travel, we tend to be more active.
We walk around a new city to explore, we take hikes to beautiful viewpoints, and take a stroll along the beach breathing in the fresh sea air.
Spending time in nature, staying active, and feeling rejuvenated can all increase our vitality.
Travel can also give our mental vitality a boost through personal growth.
We learn new skills, become great problem-solvers, gain confidence, and feel fulfilled and enriched.
The Bucket of Connection
One of the most popular reasons why people travel is to meet new people.
We are social beings by nature.
Travel is a great way to meet people that you otherwise wouldn’t have met, share and hear stories, and spend quality time with your loved ones.
Travel enriches and builds relationships.
It’s the people that we meet in places like sitting on a plane, train, bus, in the hotel lobby, or in the park that
can make the biggest impact on our life and experience.
The Bucket of Contribution
Helping others helps ourselves.
When we give back to others or help to make the planet better, we tend to feel better about ourselves.
Travel is a wonderful way to do just that.
Whether you spend time volunteering abroad, helping a stranger out, feeding the stray dogs, picking trash up at a beach, or traveling more sustainably, giving back and making a positive impact can give our happiness a boost.
As a Travel Coach, if your clients are looking for a way to find what happiness looks like and means to them, take these 3 buckets into consideration when encouraging them to take a trip somewhere.
Be sure to help them set the intention to focus on finding their happiness and to be open to new connections, giving back, being more active, and spending time in nature.
Listen to the Travel Coach Network Podcast
If you love listening to, learning about, and discussing topics like these in the travel industry, then you’ll love this show!
You can find it on any major podcast player.
Free Resources for Future Travel Coaches
Check out these other free resources for aspiring travel coaches:
- Listen to the Travel Coach Network Podcast
This is the perfect way to learn all about travel coaching, no matter where you are in your business journey. - Join the FREE Travel Coach Community Facebook Group
Be around inspiring and aspiring travel coaches who are just as passionate about travel as you. - Connect with the Travel Coach Network on Instagram
Have a quick question? Send us a DM! You’ll hear from me or a member of my team quickly.
