The Surprising Strong Connection Between Travel and Good Mental Health
No, this blog is not about my depression and strangled mental health, but about how I realized being in different places helps enhance and boost your mental health.
Being from a sophisticated middle-class family, my parents were never into trips and travels. So, I never spent my summer vacation at my grandmother’s house on the city’s outskirts or traveled to different cities with my parents. But, as I grew up, things kept adding to my life, and I went through a dark phase that I’ll skip talking about any day, anytime. But what helped me overcome my mental health issues in my late 20s? — TRAVELLING!
I have traveled to around 10 cities in just 2 years. It may seem less for many day-to-day travelers, but it’s significant for me. Considering the situation and professional dependency, it is indeed big. Though, to be accurate, I never thought about the mental health aspect until my last trip, I am here, sharing one of the most meaningful experiences of my life so far.
Why Travel?
I travel for inner peace. My first few trips were about maintaining an itinerary, rushing to places, staying at the most comfortable hotels, and always being accompanied by a cab driver. But that changed eventually.
Going around places, following a routine, and an itinerary are great ideas. But, exhausting yourself in fear of missing out on places is not what you call a “vacation.” For example, if I talk about my last few trips, I stayed at a hostel, explored cafes, hopped to unknown destinations, ate a lot, and went out randomly on the streets. That felt like a vacation. It was reassuring and calm and gave me a sense of freedom. That’s how you explore freely without the stress or compulsion to visit a place.
You need to be a traveler, not a tourist, to explore and relax. I loved one of the dialogues in a recent Netflix movie where the actor says,”
“A tourist wants to escape life; a traveller wants to experience it”.
The aim of going on vacation is not to forget everything but to relax, take a break, sort out how to improve things and come back with a fresh mind and solution.
Traveling and Mental Health
Traveling is a great stress buster where you escape from daily hassles and be in an unknown place. Here are five reasons traveling can help in boosting your mental health:
Say Goodbye to Stress
When you’re traveling, the stress of everyday life melts away. No more worrying about work deadlines, annoying coworkers, or that pile of laundry waiting for you at home. Instead, you get to focus on exploring new places, trying new foods, and meeting new people. Trust me; there’s nothing quite like the feeling of stress melting away as you sip on a tropical drink on a sandy beach.
Get Some Exercise
Traveling often involves a lot of walking, hiking, and exploring. So naturally, this means you’re getting some much-needed exercise, which is excellent for your physical and mental health. Plus, all that walking around gives you an excuse to indulge in all the delicious food you’re sure to encounter on your journey. But, of course, calories don’t count when you’re on vacation, right?
Boost Your Mood
There’s something about traveling that just puts us in a good mood. It could be the excitement of exploring new places or the sense of adventure that comes with being in an unfamiliar environment. Whatever it is, travelling has been shown to boost our mood and make us happier overall. Plus, all those gorgeous travel photos you’ll be taking will boost your confidence.
Learn Something New
Traveling is an excellent opportunity to learn new things. Whether it’s a new language, a new skill, or simply learning about different cultures and customs, travel broadens our horizons and helps us see the world in a new light. Plus, all that learning will surely keep your brain sharp and your mental health in tip-top shape.
Create Memories That Last a Lifetime
Lastly, travelling is a fantastic way to create memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Whether it’s a funny story from a hostel dorm room, a breathtaking view from a mountaintop, or a new friend you made on a train ride, these memories will bring you joy and happiness long after your trip is over.
Still not convinced?
Pick a destination, pack your bags, do the essentials, and leave your house. The world has seen a time when even going to the nearby market became luxurious. Now that COVID has almost perished, it’s time we thank the universe for our lives and cherish ourselves. Every time you visit a new place, you explore yourself too. You know a bit more about yourself and work on yourself. That’s how traveling affects human psychology.
Mental Health is a crucial topic, and one solution can only sometimes be satisfactory. I’ve been writing and spreading the word about Mental Health for years now. Y
Traveling is one of the options that helped me overcome my day-to-day stress. I realized life beyond my laptop and personal hustle could be more dangerous and depressing. Whenever I visit a new place, meet new people, or see a different life, I get motivated to improve, work on myself, and love the people around me more. You never know what lies ahead.
To everyone reading this blog, take care of yourself before anyone else. You are important, gorgeous, successful in whatever you are doing, better than many other people, and most importantly, YOU ARE STRONG! So, prioritize yourself and find ways to boost your mental health.
Here’s a small checklist to update yourself about your mental health and the people you love.
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