5 Ways Traveling Helps Our Mental Health
Written on March 28, 2024
Life has its share of stressful moments. You’ve probably said more than once, “I need a vacation.” Why is it that when we are stressed, we dream about getting away? Are people who travel happier and less likely to feel “stuck” or depressed? Are there benefits to traveling that can cure our worries and help us improve our well-being?
It probably won’t surprise you that the answer is a resounding “yes,” but you might not know about the scientifically studied mental health benefits of traveling.
- Traveling strengthens relationships. When you travel together, you have the chance to bond over shared experiences and create meaningful memories to cherish for years to come.
- A day at the beach has been proven to help relieve stress. The gentle, repetitive sound of waves is meditative for our brains, and sunlight triggers the production of vitamin D, which is good for our immune systems.
- Spending time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, resting by a lake, or watching the clouds go by, can help with memory function and focus while also increasing creativity.
- The change of scenery we get from traveling has been shown to reignite our passions and help us recognize the things we’re grateful for and find the most joy in.
- We get a sense of achievement from having gone somewhere new and engaging with cultures and experiences that are different from those at home. This accomplishment can raise our self-esteem and motivation to conquer future situations and challenges.
To sum it up, vacations are one of the best ways to relieve the stress of daily life. It allows us to escape, reconnect, and slow down. Traveling helps our mental health, in spite of the stress we sometimes encounter when preparing and getting to our dreamy destinations!
The next time you hear yourself say “I need a vacation,” remember, that it might be exactly what you really do need. (And our team can help with that!)
