You might get some questions and a cautious look if you start talking about planning your vacation in 2021: “Where would you go?” “What if they don’t relieve the travel ban then?” “Why are you thinking about traveling right now?”

Leisure travel might not sound like a good idea with increasing COVID-19 cases in many parts of the U.S., but planning for a vacation could be very important to people and their mental health. For example, a 2014 Cornell University study found the anticipation of an experience, such as a trip, can not only increase a person’s happiness significantly, but it can also feel even better than buying material goods. One of the co-author researchers of the study told National Geographic: “Compared to possessions, experiences make for better story material.”

Travel has been linked to enhanced empathy, attention, energy, and focus. Other research also suggests that adapting to foreign cultures can encourage creativity. Another co-author of the study remarked that imagination plays a part in enjoying our travel before it ever happens: “When we imagine eating gelato in a piazza in Rome … we get to experience a version of those events in our mind.”

Besides being a mentally healthy activity, planning your 2021 vacation also has practicalities. Because of the recent pandemic, many airlines have eased up on their cancellation and rescheduling policies. There might not be a better time to plan a flight in the upcoming year. But if you’re not confident about your trip, start planning a vague itinerary that doesn’t have a concrete timeline yet.

Whether you have plans or not, AFEUSA members can catch exclusive rates on their travel with our partner, SkyMed Travel. With a rewards system, no booking fees on flights, and a 110% money-back guarantee on hotel pricing, bringing your travel fantasy to life has never been more affordable.