If you travel, you understand the elation that comes with visiting a new place. The sights, the people, the smells, the food, the cars, the art, the culture, and everything in between overwhelms all of your senses in the best way possible. You want to do everything you can and squeeze every last drop out of your adventure. More people may start to experience these benefits, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted the requirement for airline passengers to test negative for COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States.
According to research, satisfying your need to adventure works to boost your mental health. In addition to the removal of work responsibilities, there are other aspects of travel that help you reduce stress. The brain seems happier when you take it to new places, try new things, and experience the world. Becoming a more worldly knowledgeable person is something everyone should strive for, and the fact that it benefits your mental health is an added bonus. How else does traveling boost your mental health? Continue reading to find out.
Reduces Job Burnout
Do you find that you struggle to focus on tasks at work? Would you rather stay in bed than go to work? Well, you are not alone, especially since a recent study reported that 52% of people felt burned out from working. An additional two-thirds of people thought that these feelings worsened during the pandemic. Travel expands your world view and allows you to take a break from daily responsibilities. Traveling can be intimidating at times, as it is a leap into the unknown, but this is also exciting. You get to discover a new place, and a new part of yourself. Set out and enjoy the world to recharge the batteries!
Improves Self-Confidence
When you travel, you typically experience things that are outside your comfort zone. This is especially true if you are in a new country or city that speaks a different language. Maybe you set out on a seven-day trek in the Andes or decide to take part in skydiving or zip-lining. When you navigate stressful situations, you work to overcome your fears and learn new skills as a result. You have the power to achieve whatever you put your mind to, which helps to increase self-esteem and self-confidence.
Makes Your More Creative
If you feel as though you are in a rut, travel may be the antidote that gets the creative juices flowing again. Several studies identified the relationship between travel and creativity, finding a positive connection between the two. Immersing yourself in new and different cultures forces you to adapt, and new and exciting thoughts tend to emerge as a result. One study found that living in a foreign country helps to enhance multicultural learning. This process allows you to solve problems in new ways by increasing your awareness of new surroundings. The beauty of travel is that it helps you develop a new perspective and boosts positivity, both of which cater to more creative thoughts.
Relieves Stress
This tends to be true for most people, but a select few find that traveling is quite stressful. The lead-up to a trip can be stressful, but the trip itself tends to lower stress levels. A small study in 2018 found that a short vacation was enough to lower overall stress. The participants went on a four-day solo trip at a wellness hotel and everyone experienced immediate stress relief. A separate study found that looking forward to a vacation was enough to thwart the effects of stress. The study involved 54 workers who completed surveys and wore heart-monitoring devices in the weeks leading up to vacation. The results indicated that stress levels were much lower in everyday life the closer and closer they got to their vacation.
May Reduce Risk Of Depression
Everyone should take full advantage of their paid vacation time, but some people are workaholics and like to let those days accumulate. According to a 1,500-person study, those who took vacations more frequently reported less stress and depression symptoms. More recent findings indicated that taking 10 days of paid leave decreased the likelihood of depression by 29% for American women. Experts say that travel helps with depression because it gets people out of their everyday routine. Not only is it a great reminder of the possibilities that exist, but it also helps you better connect with yourself and those around you. Traveling is a reminder that both you and the world have so much to offer!
