How Travel Can Help Your Mental Health

The first vacation I really remember was my first trip to Disney World when I was 7 years old. And while the castles and the characters and the whole magical ambiance was a dream come true for a child who had been raised on the wonder of Walt Disney, what really stuck with me is the EPCOT World Showcase. Seeing smaller versions of world landmarks that I had previously only seen in books was absolutely life-changing for me. It’s then that I fell in love with the idea of seeing the world. But travel is so much more than letting yourself be exposed to new ideas and cultures, it can also be really beneficial to your wellbeing. Here is how travel can help your mental health. 

A Vacation from Work Can Help You Destress

There is a reason why your employer gives you vacation time and not just sick time. We need time to rest, recharge, relieve tension and the pressure work can put us under. But travel is also exciting and being excited about something reduces cortisol levels which decreases stress and makes you feel happy. Having something to look forward to is always good for you and it’s been proven that some people feel the positive impacts of a vacation for up to five weeks after they return. 

Travel can Improve your Mental Power

Especially these days, chronic stress is a real issue and when you’re dealing with that, your memory and goal-setting abilities are negatively affected. So taking that time off to do something other than work can help you to refocus on your job when you return. 

Travel can Increase Your Creativity

When you get out there and expose yourself to new ideas and cultures, it broadens your mind and boosts your creativity. If you are planning a vacation where they speak a language you don’t know, make an effort to at least learn basic phrases so you can not only get around but also be friendly to the locals. Those that embrace new languages and different types of music are known to have better problem-solving skills which is not only beneficial in life, but also in the workplace!

Travel Sometimes means Getting out of Your Comfort Zone …

This might feel counterproductive, but leaving your comfort zone behind can actually be good for your mental health. Your empathy and understanding increase when you go to places you’ve never been before and experience other cultures. This can help you feel more appreciative of your surroundings when you return home. 

A few things to Remember …

You don’t have to spend a fortune or go far to get the mental health benefits of travel. With Covid travel restrictions, many people right now are finding joy in choosing destinations close to home. Just take the time off and act like a tourist wherever you decide to go and you’ll instantly feel better! 

But while travel can help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, you shouldn’t rely on it as a form of therapy. If you are feeling anxious or depressed and need help, you should talk to a mental health professional and they’ll help you to find the right treatment for you. 

I’ve definitely found that traveling helps to alleviate my anxiety. Do you find that it helps your mental health as well?

Now that you know how travel can help you mentally, if you’re looking for inspiration for your next vacation idea, you can check out my travel guides to Prague, Salzburg and Budapest. Or if you’re in the New England area and don’t have time for a big vacation, you can check out some fun day trips north of Boston, or my travel guides to Wickford, RI, Concord, MA, and Portsmouth, NH. Or you can always just check out the ”Travel” section of my website as I will be continuing to post more about my favorite destinations as we get back on the road!

*Make sure that you check into your destination’s COVID protocols prior to booking and traveling.