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For many Millennials and Gen Z, travel is increasingly being used as an “emotional reset button” rather than simply an escape.
A WeRoad survey of more than 5,000 travellers across the UK, Italy, Germany, France and Spain found that shared adventures and group travel are playing a growing role in easing stress, combating loneliness and helping young people break free from daily routines.
Nearly nine in ten respondents (88%) said travelling makes them happier and helps them disconnect from everyday pressures, while 41% reported feeling sad or struggling to return to their routine after a trip — a sign that travel provides a rare sense of genuine mental relief.
Almost half (47%) said they prefer joining a group and making new friends when travelling, underlining the social value of community-based trips. When asked to imagine travel as a form of medicine, 34% said it would treat stress and anxiety, and 42% chose routine and boredom, linking travel strongly with emotional wellbeing.
The survey was conducted across 1,000 UK customers to explore the relationship between travel and mental wellbeing. Respondents were asked about their emotions before and after travel, preferred travel styles, and perceived mental health benefits.
Key UK insights include:
- 89% of UK respondents said travelling makes them happier and helps them disconnect from daily stress.
- Nearly half (49%) prefer joining a group trip to make new friends, showing a strong desire for connection and shared experiences. 30% prefer traveling with friends, and 21% prefer travelling alone.
- When asked what travel would “treat” if it were a medicine, 29% said stress and anxiety, while 40% cited routine and boredom. 18% said travel combats feelings of loneliness, and 12% found it revives their motivation.
- 46% said after a trip they “want to keep travelling,” underscoring travel’s role as a lasting source of motivation and balance.
These findings align with WeRoad’s broader research into shifting travel habits. A majority of respondents said they are seeking more purposeful, authentic experiences:
- 61% have tried or plan to try a digital detox.
- 57% view travel as an opportunity for personal growth.
- 45% use travel to work through a difficult chapter in their lives.
Erika De Santi, WeRoad’s Co-Founder and Chief of Experience, said: “For Millennials and Gen Z, travel isn’t only about ticking off destinations — it’s about the disconnection, making meaningful connections and emotional recovery along the way. When you break away from routine, switch off your phone and meet new people, you remember who you are outside your 9-to-5. It’s no surprise so many see travel as a kind of therapy.”
Booking trends mirror the findings. Demand for wellness and nature-based adventures has surged, with yoga and mindfulness trips up 400% year-on-year as travellers increasingly prioritise balance, connection and self-discovery.
A nine-day South Korea: K-Beauty, Tradition and Wellness trip takes travellers to Seoul to see ancient temples, traditional tea houses, and Korean spa rituals. The itinerary blends culture, skincare, and self-care, with meditation moments and mountain hikes. The tour is priced from £3,229pp and includes seven-nights in four or five star hotels in double rooms with a private bathroom and one night at Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO world heritage site.
