7 Ways Travel Is Good For Your Mental Health

Posted on Jan 27, 2020 | 0 comments

Just as we need to be conscious of what we are eating – our physical health, we need to be mindful of our mental health. Balance is very important and if any part of ourselves falls out of sync, we may need a reboot.

Mental health is never as black and white as we would hope. It takes a lot of learning, understanding, patience and forgiveness to keep ourselves in balance.

Today I want to talk about travel and the benefits to your mental health. Whether you are traveling within your own town or to far locations; solo or with kids in tow – travel truly is one of the best ways to remain balanced on your conscious path.

7 Ways Travel Is Good For Your Mental Health

Travel Activates You. When we go through a season of depression or sadness, we tend to isolate ourselves, I am the queen of doing this. I withdraw, go mia for a bit – I disconnect. A little downtime can be good, but when it gets too much, a trip is sure to snap me out of it! Travel is a form of behavioral activation – meaning travel provides so many opportunities for exciting experiences increasing your participation in activities which increases your mood and boosts your mental health.
Travel gets you to experience life. Experiences are more valuable than material things. So much research shows that experiences bring us more happiness than material possessions do. And I can attest. Looking back over my life, it is the travel experiences that I hold the most dear, giving my mental health a boost every time I just think about travelling.
Travel teaches you what is possible. How great do you feel when you have faced a roadblock and overcome it? How great do you feel when you have planned something and it goes off well? Travel creates inspiration which will help us see things differently, balancing our mental health.
Travel provides a break from daily stress. Stepping out from your normal schedule, a change of scenery and people all helps to balance your mental health and what better way to achieve this than by traveling?!
Travel gets you outside and reconnected with mother nature. Natural settings have been shown to reduce stress and help our mental health. Taking a trip that puts us closer to nature and out of our offices and homes is great for our mental health.
Travel challenges you. Travel often times involves problem solving and strategizing which requires our wonderful creative thinking skills. Travel stimulates our brains and gets us thinking in a different way. When you are doing something taking you out of your comfort zone, it creates experiences that can build happiness and helps you to be more flexible in your daily life. Because why not?!
Travel inspires appreciation. Showing gratitude and appreciation are so important for our mental health. It has been shown time and time again that gratitude is an incredible mood booster. Travel encourages you to appreciate what we have, to appreciate what is provided for us, to appreciate all of the beauty this world has to offer.