No one needs to be told that a vacation from work or everyday home life can benefit mental health. A break from routines, from stress, and from busyness can certainly boost your mood and make you feel more relaxed, even if only for a period of time. But what about travel and mental health? Does the act of visiting new places improve your overall wellness and mental health? The experts say yes.
How is Travel Good for Mental Health?
A mental health vacation can be so much more than time off work. Traveling while on a vacation from work and daily life combines the benefits of a break with those of seeing the world:
- Travel changes your perspective. It’s easy to get bogged down in the minutiae of your life that make you unhappy when that’s all you see. Travel allows you to shift the perspective away from your own life and to broaden it to see the world in a new light. Seeing new cultures, trying different foods, and meeting people broadens your view of the world and puts your own issues in perspective.
- Anticipation makes you happy. Studies of vacation and travel find that taking a trip boosts mood. What makes people even happier is the anticipation of the trip. Planning and looking forward to a vacation can make you happy weeks in advance.
- Travel boosts creativity. Seeing new places in the world and experiencing different cultures triggers your own creativity. Learning new things and thinking creatively stimulate new neural pathways in the brain.
- Traveling can strengthen relationships. Strong, healthy relationships are vital for good mental health. You can travel solo, but going with a partner or friends is more beneficial. It strengthens your bond. Visiting with family or friends you don’t see often is also a mood booster and good for relationships.
- Getting away reduces stress. Taking time off work can reduce stress, but you’ll get the most relief by totally removing yourself from your daily life. Leaving work, chores, and home responsibilities behind for even a short period can drastically lower your stress.
If You Find Traveling Stressful
For some people, traveling triggers anxiety and worry. If you tend to get anxious, you might think of everything that could go wrong instead of anticipating the fun you’ll have. You shouldn’t have to forgo the benefits of travel, but your trip might look different from someone who is more adventurous.
Try starting with a short trip without leaving the country. Go somewhere you have friends or family, or choose an all-inclusive tour that plans all the details for you. Prepare for your trip by practicing stress-relief and relaxation strategies, like meditation and deep breathing.
If you struggle with mental health issues, talk to your therapist in advance of a vacation. They can give you strategies and encouragement, not just for surviving a trip but for truly enjoying it and reaping the positive mental health benefits.
