How Travel Can Improve Your Mental Health
Traveling is the perfect way to leave everything behind and relax for a while. But did you know that your travels actually have a lasting effect on how you feel and think? Whether you’re taking a mini vacation, going on an adventure, or just visiting somewhere near your hometown, travel can have many positive effects on your overall mental health. It’s time to go for that trip you’ve been planning and unwind!
Here’s how travel can improve your wellbeing and mental health.
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Travel helps you reduce stress
Traveling is a great way to remove yourself from the daily routine and relax. Most people find it easier to do so when they are in a new setting or are looking forward to something fun planned. Taking a trip can help break up the monotonous (and let’s be real - sometimes draining) pattern of life back home. Replace looking at computer screens with watching beach waves roll in. Swap out traffic for hammocking in the sun with your favorite book. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? 😉
Travel makes you happier
How many of you got that wishful smile reading the last section? Surprise: travel is a great way to boost your happiness! It gives you a sense of accomplishment and freedom, making you feel more alive and present in the moment. You can meet new people, learn new skills, develop language skills, or even catch up on reading that book you bought ages ago. How many of you still have a list of shows you’ve been desperately trying to start, but can’t find the time? When you go on a trip, you can use that freedom to enjoy whatever you’d like!
Traveling can help you be more creative
Taking a trip can enhance your creativity! You’ll be able to form new problem-solving skills and gain a new perspective on life. Who else came back home more motivated? 🤩 You can also meet people who have different skill sets than you. Why are these important? Because being creative often means thinking outside the box - which isn’t easy if you’re stuck in the same old environment/routine as back home.
Traveling can also open your mind up to new ideas and hobbies that you’ll want to embrace more of when you return home. Need some examples? Try checking out local museums instead of scrolling around TikTok, visiting new restaurants rather than the same fast food joints in town (we’re looking at you McDonalds), or even meeting up with a language practice group back home so you don’t lose any skills from abroad. The list goes on!
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Travel makes you more self-confident
The more you travel, the more your confidence grows. You start to realize that there's a lot of people out there who don't look like you, talk like you, or think like you. You're surrounded by people who have completely different experiences than yours, yet they're all just as valid. Your confidence will flourish as you learn to navigate the situations that emerge from a different environment and culture.
You also become more open to new experiences and ideas while traveling. The first trip I planned myself was to a small town in Argentina. Click here to learn my tips for slow travel in Bahía Blanca, Argentina! Let's just say my middle and high school Spanish classes did not prepare me for the different accent or way that they speak there LOL. But between clubbing until 5am, trying blood sausage or morcilla for the first time (sorry guys but it’s not for me 😅), and forming new friendships with the local workers I saw often, I became more outgoing and excited to try new things. Now that I’ve passed through all of those airports, powered through all those confusing conversations, and had my fair share of naive travel mistakes, I feel more comfortable and prepared for wherever I go next. (PS - the accent in Argentina is super cool and it was so much fun learning it!)
Travel strengthens your relationships
Whether you’re traveling with friends or family members, it’s likely that they will motivate and support you throughout your journey. This can be especially helpful if you or someone in the group struggles with mental illness.
Traveling alone can have a different effect on your mental health versus going with a group. Traveling solo allows you to do what you want and when you want without having to worry about anyone’s needs or opinions. This can be extremely freeing if you feel tied up with your life back home. Of course, loneliness is also a common side effect for this kind of travel. If this isn’t something that worries you too much, then go for it! But if loneliness is something that brings up anxiety for you (or makes the other person anxious), then consider joining an organized tour with social activities like hiking and kayaking excursions. Or, push yourself to make some new friends abroad! I met a bunch of amazing people and it eased the lonely feeling that snuck up on me some days. You can also pack items and memorabilia that help ground and comfort you if you’re homesick. Call friends and family to reach out and feel connected with your people again. I did this a few times (despite some poor wifi connections) and it helped a ton!
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So… are you ready to uplift your mood with a trip?
A recent study showed that just thinking about a vacation can lead to an increase in happiness—so even if it’s not possible to plan anything right now, it doesn’t hurt to dream a little! For some people, planning a trip to a neighboring town is more realistic within their time-frame and budget. For others, it could mean waiting until they feel ready and then jumping into a new adventure abroad! Are you needing a change of scenery to boost your mood? I am 🙋♀️ Let me know in the comments below!
