Winter is coming.
With the darkest day of the year – December 21st – just around the corner, you might be dreaming of swapping the seasonal blahs for Caribbean blue.
But while fun in the sun may be a welcome interruption during the colder months, there’s also an art to improving mood — beyond just heading to the tropics for a dose of vitamin D, available in capsule form. Doesn’t come, suggests a behavioral expert.
Instead of looking for a hot spot to relax, look for destinations that maximize enjoyment and happiness, said clinical psychologist Dr Gurpreet Kaur, who has partnered with Scenic Cruises to find such spots Which not only offer sunny views but also a surge of positive energy.
Using a variety of metrics that may not immediately seem interrelated, Kaur and researchers came up with A list of travel destinations that can stimulate dopamineWhat is commonly known as the “feel-good hormone” boosts the overall mood of travelers as the annual dark time begins.
The number of sunny days per year, food, walkability, air quality and abundance of green spaces were all taken into account.
“Sunlight exposure naturally increases dopamine levels, while quality food provides essential nutrients and pleasure. Walking reduces cortisol, helps regulate dopamine, and clean air boosts brain function,” explained Dr. Kaur. express,
“Studies have also shown that green spaces encourage mindfulness, which helps increase dopamine.”
“Together, these elements create destinations that refresh and elevate the mood.”
In ascending order, here are the pros’ ten picks.
10. Oslo, Norway
Annual sunshine hours – 1,668
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 9
Quality of green spaces (out of 100) – 86
Average restaurant Google rating (out of 5) – 4.5
Walkability Score (out of 100) – 68
Total Score (out of 100) – 79
9. Vancouver, British Columbia
Annual sunshine hours – 1,938
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 7
Quality of green spaces (out of 100) – 85
Average restaurant Google rating (out of 5) – 4.5
Walkability Score (out of 100) – 56
Total Score (out of 100) – 90
8. Liverpool, England
Annual sunshine hours – 1,507
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 8
Quality of green spaces (out of 100) – 80
Average restaurant Google rating (out of 5) – 4.5
Walkability Score (out of 100) – 56
Total Score (out of 100) – 90
7. Málaga, Spain
Annual sunshine hours – 2,919
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 17
Quality of green spaces (out of 100) – 69
Average restaurant Google rating (out of 5) – 4.5
Walkability Score (out of 100) – 76
Total Score (out of 100) – 93
6. Cadiz, Spain
Annual sunshine hours – 3,024
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 18
Quality of green spaces (out of 100) – 56
Average restaurant Google rating (out of 5) – 4.5
Walkability Score (out of 100) – 95
Total Score (out of 100) – 94
5. Lisbon
Annual sunshine hours – 2,806
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 12
Quality of green spaces (out of 100) – 68
Average restaurant Google rating (out of 5) – 4.6
Walkability Score (out of 100) – 64
Total Score (out of 100) – 95
4. New Orleans
Annual sunshine hours – 2,649
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 8
Quality of green spaces (out of 100) – 78
Average restaurant Google rating (out of 5) – 4.5
Walkability Score (out of 100) – 65
Total Score (out of 100) – 96
3.Tallinn
Annual sunshine hours – 1,923
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 5
Quality of green spaces (out of 100) – 77
Average restaurant Google rating (out of 5) – 4.6
Walkability Score (out of 100) – 78
Total Score (out of 100) – 97
2. Amsterdam
Annual sunshine hours – 1,662
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 13
Quality of green spaces (out of 100) – 84
Average restaurant Google rating (out of 5) – 4.6
Walkability Score (out of 100) – 85
Total Score (out of 100) – 98
1. Partition
Annual sunshine hours – 2,631
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 10
Quality of green spaces (out of 100) – 58
Average restaurant Google rating (out of 5) – 4.7
Walkability Score (out of 100) – 97
Total Score (out of 100) – 100
