Editor’s Note: Instead of scrubbing outdated commentary about travel planning, I’ve chosen to leave it intact on our site here. It offers a helpful snapshot of how we were thinking about travel during the early 2020s—a moment in time that, while not so distant, already feels like a fading memory.
Now in 2025, it’s easy to forget how abruptly leisure travel came to a standstill across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, the sudden loss of our ability to explore the world was more than an inconvenience—it was a profound shift. For many, travel wasn’t just recreation; it was a key way to manage stress. And let’s be honest—there was no shortage of stress back then.
So, with that in mind, I invite you to revisit this updated piece modeled after the original article from the early stages of the pandemic. You may find that the psychological benefits of travel planning discussed here are just as relevant today. After all, global stress didn’t retire—it just changed shape.
There was a time—not long ago—when the world stopped moving. Thanks to COVID-19, planes were grounded, borders closed, and suitcases gathered dust. It felt like the halftime show at the Super Bowl: the action paused, everyone watching for updates, some amused by the intermission, others restless and ready to move.
For those stuck at home, reactions varied. Some embraced the slowdown; others were climbing the walls. We waited for the world to hit “play” again. We waited for travel to return.
But what can you do with a passion for travel (and an excess of free time!) when there’s nowhere to go?
Psychology and Travel Planning
From a psychological standpoint, most people think of travel as the actual trip—getting there, staying, and coming home. That seems reasonable, but it misses something essential.
Planning.
Planning is what separates us from migratory animals. We’re the only species that can imagine, anticipate, and emotionally engage with a future experience. (For a deeper dive into this, check out Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky.)
Sure, our ability to think ahead can cause stress and anxiety—like worrying about next month’s bills—but it also gives us the joy of anticipating good things. And travel planning is one of those joys.
Think about the process: browsing beachfront hotels, reading reviews of hidden bistros, picturing yourself with wind in your hair on a coastal drive or sipping hot cocoa in a snowy lodge. Your brain doesn’t just think about the trip—it feels it. You experience real emotional benefits, long before you ever pack a bag.
What if I don’t plan my own travel?
You might say, “I’m a free spirit—I don’t plan, I just go.” Fair enough. But if you’re wearing shoes right now, guess what? You’ve planned something. Even spontaneous travelers need to make basic decisions: what to bring, where to go, what to wear.
Even spontaneous travelers need to make basic decisions: what to bring, where to go, what to wear.
-Psychology of Travel
Others may rely on assistants or travel services to handle logistics. Great! But they still need your input—destinations, preferences, timing. Even outsourcing requires imagination and intention.
So rather than rushing through those decisions, take time to enjoy the mental vacation that comes with making them. Be intentional in enjoying the process of thinking through and sharing this information with your travel agent.
Dreaming of Travel
While travel itself paused, travel planning never had to. In fact, planning can be the beginning of your trip—not just a to-do list, but a deeply satisfying and restorative part of the experience.
So why wait?
Browse that resort. Dream up your next adventure. Let yourself imagine sipping coffee on a cobbled street in Paris or hiking under starlit skies in Utah. Whether the trip happens next month or next year, the joy of planning starts now.
Because psychologically speaking, travel doesn’t begin when the plane takes off—it begins the moment you start to dream.
Happy Travels,
Dr. L
P.S. – How do you plan your travels?
Have any tips for others about how you make travel planning a fun experience in and of itself?
Feel free to share any tips in the comments below.
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