In a bid to make ends meet, many people are stuck between a cycle of working during the day, sleeping at night, and repeating the process daily. They live on autopilot and are constantly taking every opportunity to work and make money. To such people, travelling can be a luxury or something that needs immense planning.
Constant working without a break can be incredibly detrimental to mental health. However, taking a step away from work and jetting off to an entirely new environment can have tremendous benefits. There is more to travelling than having fun, and you need not fly to Hawaii or the Caribbean to have the best holiday.
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A simple change of scenery for a while, no matter how small, can positively affect your mental health in several ways. Many people deal with work-related stress, which dovetails into other areas of their life. This is one of the areas where travelling can help.
Here are various ways travelling affects mental health positively:
A Chance for Self-Discovery
Travelling, especially to new places, takes us out of our comfort zone. It completely disrupts your life and routine, forcing you to attempt new things. You have an array of food to try, new people, to meet, with the opportunity of learning a language, and see things you never saw before.
Such experience will trigger your brain to be become hyperactive, helping you discuss things about yourself you never knew you could do. It is a chance to discover hidden talents, opportunities, hobbies, and many more. You can even consider travelling in your vehicle with a rooftop tent and enjoy the wonders of the galaxy at night.
It Can Change Your Perspective
Many people have lived on autopilot for a more significant portion of their life – waking up in the same place and doing the same thing almost every day. Such living habit does not help mental health since the brain is already used to it, so you are hardly present.
When you change your location once in a while, you get to appreciate life and expose yourself to another routine. It will stimulate the brain, and your attention span will increase. This increases mindfulness, which goes a long way to reduce stress and helps you tackle life obstacles.
It Opens Your Mind to New Experience
Travelling allows you to experience other people’s culture, food, way of life and language. It can be incredibly eye-opening, making you appreciate what you have. In addition, it presents a perfect opportunity to expand your mind and boost your creative goals.
Experiencing a new lifestyle can trigger positive change for you. You get to learn new things and experiences that might be useful when you eventually get to your place.
It Reduces Stress Level
Deadlines, work demands, life obligations, etc., are sources of stress that have plagued many people. It can take its toll on people’s mental health if they do not do anything about it. Sadly, stress sets the stage for many horrible health issues like hypertension, stroke, etc.
Chilling out somewhere far, away from a familiar environment, can be a great stress buster. Getting away from every potential source of stress in exchange for a life of freedom can reward you mentally. The happiness that comes from being in a relaxing place can trigger the release of serotonin, which reduces stress levels.
It can Boost Mood Over Time
The simple act of packing your things for the journey builds up anticipation that makes people happy. According to research at Cornel University, the anticipation people experience can bring happiness, better than how people feel when getting something tangible like a car.
In the same way, many people look back on holidays with happiness and reminisce the happy experience, cherish the memories, and look forward to another. As a result, it is safe to conclude that travelling makes people happy.
Living on autopilot – dedicating your entire life to a particular routine can be likened to feeling trapped. It can be compared to doing something because you have no choice.
However, when people change the environment, they can change their routine and live on their terms. This improved happiness will stay with them for a while.
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It Improves Self Confidence
Travelling takes you away from the comfort of your home and everything you are familiar with. As a result, you will not be around everything you are familiar with, especially if you go to a new city. You get a golden opportunity to do things you never think possible, like skydiving, skateboarding, roller-coasting, etc.
When you navigate such challenging situations, it presents the opportunity to learn new skills, overcome your fear, and enjoy accomplishing something. Such experience increases your self-esteem and confidence, as you believe in your ability to achieve things you never knew possible.
Such increased self-esteem will dovetail into other areas of your life, fueling your passion for achieving your goals.
Travelling provides a Welcomed Distraction
Changing your focus and attention from what you are once used to can boost your mental health. As a result, something as simple as exploring the city, swimming, visiting friends in the neighbourhood, etc., can distract you from the autopilot your life has been used to.
For instance, grief can be incredibly consuming, according to people that have experienced the loss of a loved one. However, changing the environment via travelling can prevent the mind from dwelling on negative emotions.
A Terrific Opportunity to Recharge
Disconnecting occasionally is one of the best things you can do for your mental health. Travelling is a tool that makes this possible. It is good to put your best into your work to build your career and get you accolades.
Many times, however, this happens to the detriment of mental health. It can cause depression, burnout, and other health issues.
Travelling allows you to disconnect and recharge. It provides an escape from series of responsibility that plagues you.
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Conclusion
Travelling should not be considered a luxury. It is an essential tool that can benefit your mental health in various ways. You need not leave town before enjoying the health benefits of travelling. A short trip can also reward your health in many ways.