Raleigh International

Travelling can make you happier and could even mean that you live longer, according to new research.

An Australian study by a travel and wellbeing expert has suggested that travel and increased happiness and better health are linked, and it could even be prescribed in the future as a way to beat depression.

Dr Sebastian Filep, of Victoria University, found planning a holiday and reminiscing on returning home, as well as the trip itself, all contributed to the pleasure of a trip abroad.

The in-depth analysis involved 60 different travellers and a further 200 backpackers, including gap year travellers, for a chapter in a forthcoming book, Tourists, Tourism and the Good Life.

Dr Filep said: "Happiness is good for overall physical and mental health and holidays are a good vehicle for experiencing happiness. Holidays may possibly lead to people living longer, as holidays make people happy."