The Upward Spiral of Happiness
Owning a Recreational Vehicle or Boat is Better Than Taking One-Shot Vacations
Lots of us know that vacations increase positive emotions. The planning process, preparation before the trip, and actually taking the trip, accumulate in a peak of pleasure. But experiential effects can be short-lived, and the transition back to reality feels quite sudden. We are all too often back in the state we found ourselves before the trip was even imagined. Whatever stress relief we get on vacation can be easily dashed away the moment we re-enter everyday life.
Here is where being an outdoor lifestyle enthusiast really pays off. Research shows that taking many cumulative trips creates broader and more long term happiness. Many shorter ‘tourism experiences’ over time are more beneficial than panning one epic (and costly) vacation. People who take time away from reality in frequent bursts build and broaden satisfaction in their life. Taken in context, this means that people who own an RV, fifth wheel, UTV or boat have more satisfying life experiences than those who don’t.
According to Journal of Happiness Studies, this “broaden-and-build theory suggests that even brief experiences of positive emotion can have consequences for long-term happiness through accumulation of personal resources. In a nutshell, the theory posits that, during experiences of positive emotion, individuals consider a broader repertoire of possible thoughts and actions (‘broadening’). Approaching the world in such a ‘broadened’ way makes it easier for individuals to build valuable personal resources, especially constructive relationships with other people (‘building’).*” Furthermore, “long-term cumulative building makes individuals more open to undertake potentially positive experiences.*”
The collective moments we have while boating, RVing, camping or racing build valuable resources, such as friendships and creativity, which can last a lifetime. It is nice to know that owning one a recreational vehicle or boat will give you a leg up on overall life satisfaction and mental wellbeing.
In order to truly maximize your resources, one has to be disengaged from work and leave the phone behind. Engaging in work-related activity can lessen the positivity-building effects in your brain, and reduce the overall satisfaction of your outdoor lifestyle. Boat, RV and UTV owners know this to their core - the lure of fun outdoors is far greater than any blue screen can provide.
Don’t worry about capturing experiences with your phone, either. Not only will you be missing the moment, but you will distract away from it. According to The Atlantic, “research published in 2018 in the Journal of Consumer Research showed that taking pictures with the intent to share them on social media leads people to enjoy their experiences less because it increases “self-presentational concern.”” It’s not ultimately enjoyable, or beneficial to your health and well-being, to be self aware and concerned with what other people might think.
If you’re in the market to purchase a new recreational vehicle, stay patient. You will get what you want, or pretty darn close. Use seedealercost as a resource - check our instructional blog articles like The Bullwhip Effect and What is Dealer Cost? for helpful advice. Check sites like Get My Boat for immediate, captain-included outings. And at all turns, know what you are paying for.
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*Mitas, O., Yarnal, C., & Chick, G. (2012b). Jokes build community: Mature tourists’ positive emotions. Annals of Tourism Research, 39(4), 1884–1905.
Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218.
