What your choice between a beach or mountain holiday reveals about your personality

Would you prefer a getaway to a secluded beach on a tropical island? Or are you more of a mountain hiker, longing to get to the peak and look out at the ranges?

Depending on what your response was, you’re either an introvert or an extrovert.

Psychologist researchers from the University of Virginia have found that these distinct personality types have different preferences for their holidays.

Most of us know that an extrovert likes stimulation and is happy with noise, a lot of people and talking, whereas introverts prefer to be alone and in a quiet space. But what we didn’t know is how these traits link to more natural environments such as the sea or the mountains.

The researchers conducted experiments to find out, including analysing data of a 613,000 person personality survey, and found people who lived in more mountainous areas were more likely to be introverted. But it wasn’t conclusive so they sent students to either an open, flat area, or a wooded secluded area to see its affect on their happiness and extroversion.

The changes in terrain showed different levels of happiness for introverts and extroverts — introverts were more stressed out in the open space than in the trees.

A bit more research needs to be done but we think they’re one to something.

What do you reckon? Do you prefer and mountains or the beach?

Share:
Share via emailShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Pinterest
Stories that matter
Emails delivered daily
Sign up