Proving or disproving the veracity of the erstwhile adage , " money ca n’t buy   happiness , " has fascinated economists , psychologist , and other scientists for year — on the face of it even more so late . There have been sketch that show more money will make you happy , butonly up to a sure amount ; studies that show themood - boosting king of moneyis limitless ; and cogitation that show money ca n’t make you happier , but it can make youless unhappy .

But across the board , researchhas happen that buying experience , not material thing , has the greatest positive impact on a person ’s well - being — andsurvey resultsreleased earlier this calendar week highlight just how much a sure sort of experience will boost a person ’s happiness . The study , commissioned byBooking.com , poll 6620 people ( 18 + ) across the U.S. , Canada , UK , Germany , France , and Australia about their opinions on spontaneous travel , and happen that most mass are with child fans .

Americans were the mostly likely to report that self-generated change of location is a key to happiness : 79 percent agree that remove a self-generated misstep " boosts their felicity " ; 65 percent posit that it have them " more rich at work " ; and 74 percent of respondent experience it " reduces stress . "

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What you do once you make it impromptu at your destination almost does n’t matter . Respondents were excited about a wide range of potential trip : 69 percent say they were interested in city head trip , 67 per centum in foodie trips , 67 percent in seeing family , 65 percent in country gaolbreak , 64 percent in beach trips , and 64 pct in road trips .

The field of study also revealed that the good way to impress the lady in your life is with a trip . Over one-half of all female answerer ( 53 percent ) said the endowment that would be most meaningful to them from a important other would be a surprise trip , compare to only 8 per centum who chose jewelry . But do n’t expect for a natal day or day of remembrance : 44 percent of American woman follow say they wish their substantial other would book a last minute trip for no cause at all . Get packing !