How Happy Does a Vacation Make You? You May Be Surprised

Think a month-long trip across Asia will make you happier than a relaxing day in the nearby town with the cute B&B will? Well, let's just say that both you and your bank account can appreciate a new piece of happiness research.

According to a new study from the Netherlands, people who take longer vacations aren't any happier when they get back than people who take shorter ones. But that short trip shouldn't be the "If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium" style. People who said their holidays were very relaxed had more postvacation happiness than those whose trips were stressful or neutral.

That said, a fuller postvacation happiness tank doesn't mean that the state lasts longer (as anyone who's ever come back to an office knows). Most people return to their prevacation mood level within 8 weeks of a trip.

You might be able to make the glow last a little longer. Happiness goes up when you're planning a trip. So why not start the upswing early? Research places, and daydream about your next vacation now. Another way to keep your mood up might be to plan shorter, more frequent trips so you get that boost a few times a year, not just once. In other words, take two 7-day vacations and get double the benefit in health you'd get from one lasting 14 days (as long as you plan for them). Look at your photos, and tell the stories of your trip: Reliving it may bring some of the shine back for a little while.