Vacation can often seem like it’s just another item on your ever-growing to-do list, and it’s easy to get caught up in the everyday hustle of work and chores that you forget to make time for the things that matter – such as yourself!
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 18.8% of US adults have mental illness in any given year. So it’s safe to say that we live in a stressful world, but there are ways to escape it, such as taking time out to travel.
While travel isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do with a busy lifestyle, it offers so many benefits for your mental health, so it’s important to find ways to fit it into your life.
Below are the reasons why taking a vacation is good for your mental health.
Taking a vacation is a great stress buster
The hustle and bustle of everyday life can take a toll on our mental health. Travel is a great way to clear your head if you’re trying to get your mind right.
Studies show that people who travel more often have higher levels of happiness and lower stress levels than those who don’t.
Taking even one vacation can improve your mood for months afterward. So, in addition to giving you some much-needed rest, a vacation can be incredibly helpful for your mental health if it comes when you need it most.
“Even though I’m constantly busy when I travel, whether it’s sightseeing, shooting photographs, or simply exploring,” says Swapnil Gohil, “I know I’m the happiest and most peaceful when I travel.”
For example, studies show that heart attack patients recover faster after being admitted to intensive care units with windows than those without them! This might be because spending time in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety.
It’s also possible that simply being able to see outside improves your mood by reminding you of all of life’s possibilities.
It boosts happiness and satisfaction
You experience a new environment with different people and customs when you travel. It can make you more open-minded about your life and experiences, giving you a sense of fulfillment.
Those feelings of fulfillment will make it easier for you to live your day-to-day life because they’ll improve your overall mental health. For example, one study found that mental health is an important predictor of how much joy people experience while traveling in their spare time.
Those who were mentally healthy reported feeling more satisfaction and happiness during their trips than those who weren’t mentally healthy.
Some individuals say they feel like locals when they visit a new place because they learn so much about its culture and customs through interactions with locals. In addition, it can lead to increased self-confidence and better social skills.
“Travel certainly makes me happy,” agrees Dr. Charles. “Even arranging a vacation gives me something to look forward to and makes me happy,” Wilson explains. It turns out she’s not alone in her feelings.
According to a Cornell University research, the anticipation of a vacation may significantly improve your happiness, even more than the prospect of receiving something tangible, such as a new automobile.
It makes you mentally resilient
Being able to quickly adapt to a new environment is a good skill for your mind and body. For example, when you travel, you’re forced to get used to new surroundings, people, etc. In short, you’re growing as a person—and that’s never a bad thing.
Plus, if you can grow outside of your comfort zone in one area of life (e.g., work), it can make it easier for you to do so in others (e.g., personal relationships).
All of this allows you to appreciate what you have. For example, remember when you lost your wallet and couldn’t pay for your meal at a restaurant? Or how about that one time you were sick in a foreign country with no medical insurance?
In both instances, it was stressful and unpleasant. But did they also serve as wake-up calls to show you how much better off you are in many other areas of life?
If so, then consider yourself lucky—many people never learn that lesson until it’s too late. Traveling lets us see how far we’ve come, which can help us appreciate what we have even more.
At the same time, though, it also gives us a new perspective on those areas where we need to improve or change our approach.
Enhances your creativity
Researchers have found that people who travel extensively are more likely to be creative, intelligent, and open-minded. So while there’s no guarantee that a trip to Costa Rica will help you create your next great novel, it could spur you to make unexpected connections or try new things.
At a minimum, your trips might give you a better perspective on life. But, whether traveling helps you think differently or not, if you’re open to learning about new cultures and ways of living, it can broaden your mind in amazing ways.
A trip can contribute to stronger mental health
The majority of those who travel use it to recharge their batteries. Not thinking about work-related things, being distracted by different elements, and simply indulging in new activities can contribute to a happier mind.
A study from 2014 at The Chinese University of Hong Kong discovered that travelers feel more engaged, productive, and enthusiastic after vacations than non-travelers do.
Traveling is often used to escape current problems and encourages us to take on different challenges that positively affect mental health and life satisfaction. After escaping from your routines, you will come back home with a fresh new approach toward them.
Conclusion
One of your friends complains about how his job is killing him, and he can’t wait to retire. You probably wondered if there will ever be a time in your life when you feel that way. No one seems to be content with what they have, and you can’t help but wonder if it’s all worth it.
But think back to all of those amazing experiences you had traveling, living abroad, or just taking a long weekend trip somewhere and its benefits on your mental health.
How different would your mental health look right now if you never took those risks? So if you always wanted to take a trip but held yourself back for some reason, take that first step today and see where it takes you. Your health will thank you!
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