Hi Stefan, thank you very much for your time. At first glance, holidays and happiness seem to go hand in hand. Does happiness simply come on its own when I go on holiday?
No, certainly not. It’s a common misconception that we’re automatically happy after a holiday. We have to recognise and allow ourselves to feel contentment and happiness. I would therefore recommend taking several short holidays because the restorative effects can fade quite quickly.
What can I do on my own to better appreciate the happiness that comes from going on holiday?
It definitely makes sense to ‘extend’ your holiday as much as possible. For example, you can think about your holiday ahead of time and put yourself in the situation of what’s coming. Browsing through ROB-MAG can, of course, help. That’s how a sense of joyful anticipation can build up. It’s also a good idea to make a conscious effort to ease into your holiday from your everyday routine.
Recognising happiness
This is where our perception comes into play, helping us recognise the little moments of happiness that each day brings.
When I arrive at my holiday destination, I’m often initially ‘overwhelmed’ by the huge variety of activities on offer. What should I do first?
Recovery takes time, and our minds need a little while to adjust to the new reality of being on holiday. It’s important not to let yourself get overwhelmed by everything on offer and, if necessary, to approach it with a flexible plan. Just go with the flow and do what you enjoy. If your daily life was very hectic prior to your holiday, it feels good to maybe do a little less for a while and create a contrast during your time off. If you’ve been underchallenged and bored up until now, this might be the time to get out and be active. It’s all about maintaining the right balance.
Your time
It feels good to take the time to savour special moments with all your senses. Even better – to share those moments with the people you love most.
So is a change of pace from everyday life the key to success?
In part, yes. You have to ask yourself how you can break out of your daily routine, and experiencing new things is often the answer. So try out new things, learn, and enjoy experiences – and then bring those lessons back into your everyday life. By nature, our brain tends to be economical (if not downright lazy) and isn’t necessarily open to change because that requires effort. However, when we are inspired or discover new strengths and the change is a thing of the past, we automatically become happier and more self-confident.
A world of fun for young guests
Our ROBINS are great at providing loving care and creative activities. And that creates a win-win situation: your kids are happy, and you have time for yourself or to devote to new and old friends.
Can this philosophy also be applied to human relationships?
Of course. We are social beings and, by nature, want to be with other people. Social interaction, eye contact or physical contact trigger the release of oxytocin, the ‘love hormone’, which induces feelings of happiness. But you should still keep in mind what you need right now and what your daily life was like before. For example, if you had to communicate and interact with a lot of people, it’s perfectly acceptable to take some time just for yourself while on holiday.
What role does the oft-cited ‘positive thinking’ play in experiencing happiness?
A major role. External influences are bound to come anyway. How you deal with them is the key question. How do you navigate the world? Will you accept the offer that’s been made to you? Your subconscious mind doesn’t really care about happiness – it isn’t programmed for it. That makes it all the more important to define what happiness means to you and to go out and find it on your own.
Do you have any practical tips for this?
Sure – it can help, for example, to keep a journal or a ‘happiness journal’ in which you consciously record the positive experiences of the day to enjoy them again at a later time. Photos, souvenirs or mementos from your holiday can also bring back happy memories if you take two to three minutes to look at them. You could also listen to music from your holiday or drink the house wine your favorite taverna served and try to recapture the feeling. By the way, when I’m on holiday, I personally like to leave my mobile deep down in my bag, because it’s full of ‘old stuff’ that makes it hard for me to open myself up to new experiences.
Can sharing these moments of happiness with others also help?
Absolutely, because the moment you remember it, you automatically transport yourself back to that wonderful moment. Our mirror neurons then ensure that everyone shares in your joy, and that happiness is, so to speak, multiplied.
What do you personally do to be happy?
Thoughts lead to feelings. So I make sure that the ‘5 factors of positive psychology’ are met: 1. Evoking positive emotions, 2. Ensuring a high level of commitment, 3. Maintaining relationships, 4. Finding meaning in life, and 5. Celebrating successes.
If you’re feeling down, what do you do?
I try to make sense of the feeling and ask myself what’s going on right now. We humans have something like an inner team with different voices in our heads; some are quieter while others are louder. Perhaps all I need to do is pay more attention to certain voices in order to gain a new perspective on what’s causing my negative mood.
Many people swear by the mood-boosting effects of good food. Is there any truth to that?
Yes, there is – in fact, in many ways: eating stimulates a variety of senses. It can be a reward to treat yourself to a particularly delicious meal. It has a social aspect because you’re eating with other people. And you might even discover something new or benefit from certain foods that trigger a particularly high release of serotonin.
‘WHEN I’M ON HOLIDAY, I HAVE NEW EXPERIENCES, LEARN NEW THINGS AND EVEN DEVELOP NEW ROUTINES DURING THAT TIME.’
Stefan Brandt
Happiness expert
What advice can you give families for their holiday?
Don’t take on too much. Every family member may need something different to relax. Some people need more social interaction, sports or cultural activities, while others need less. Not everyone has to do the same thing at the same time. That’s why it’s a good idea to discuss your expectations for the holiday before you leave. This is the best way to prevent frustration and disappointment.
Enjoying physical activity
Our wide range of sports and leisure activities has something for everyone, no matter what your interests are. You can experience moments of pure bliss in the water, on land or at the WellFit-Spa.
To wrap things up, here’s a more in-depth question: can a holiday be the start of a happier life?
Yes, it can! Because when I’m on holiday, I have new experiences, learn new things and even develop new routines during that time. The challenge is to incorporate this into your daily life. Regardless of whether you’re experiencing good times or bad, the point is to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. The experts at our clubs provide excellent support and ensure that you can take pride in your achievements. That’s how a snowball effect begins – one that can open a new chapter in life.
The Robinson promise
Wherever you see this seal of quality, you can be sure that it features ROBINSON quality. We’re keeping our promise to ensure you have an unforgettable holiday, and we’ll show you how we do it. So, if you want to learn more, just look for this quality feature.
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