Returning to work after the festive season can be a depressing and often draining task. Your body begins to settle into routine but your mind isn’t quite ready – preferring to drift into wanderlust than to focus on the task at hand.
Termed ‘desktop holidays’ these departures of the mind bury their way into our subconsciousness most potently in the early months of the year – according to a study by British neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis.
The study, conducted by hospitality company Airbnb, found that January showed a 36 per cent boost in website views for this exact reason.
The happiness booster, otherwise known as mentally planning a holiday, has proven effects on our mood and productivity.
Dr David Lewis comments that for the British: “January is the month when Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is most severe. Grey skies, short days and a lack of sunshine can lead to bouts of ‘winter depression’ by increasing the production of melatonin by the brain’s pineal gland. The hormone can generate feelings of despair, guilt, a loss of pleasure in everyday activities, irritability and a lack of energy.
“One answer is to use the Internet to fantasise about your perfect holiday in the sun. This form of ‘Mind Travel’ causes feel-good chemicals such as dopamine, dubbed the ‘pleasure pedal,’ to flood into your brain making us happier, more energetic and more optimistic.”
The more imaginative the better, according to the search results of Airbnb’s ‘Wish List’ function.
So what are the top 10 most Wish Listed properties?
Dome cabin – California, USA
View listing here.
Tuscan treehouse – Monferrato, Italy
View listing here.
Secluded in-town tree house – Atlanta, USA
View listing here.
Unique cob cottage – Mayne Island, Canada
View listing here.
The seashell house – Isla Mujeres, Mexico
View listing here.
Pirates of the Caribbean getaway – California, USA
View listing here.
Modern glass tree house – Florence, Italy
View listing here.
Beautiful tree house – Bali, Indonesia
View listing here.
Off-grid house – California, USA
View listing here.