5 Reasons Why You Should Travel For Your Mental Health

Are you looking after your mental health recently? Are you taking time out from your schedule to be at one with nature, new places, and yourself? Oftentimes, our own mental health can take a back seat, and problems can sit and fester for months before we do anything about it. This Sunday 10th October is World Mental Health Day, and we are huge advocats for taking time to recharge and replenish our batteries when the going gets tough. And what better way than with travel? Traveling can have enormous benefits for you and your mental health. Here are our top 5 reasons why you should travel for your mental health (in case you needed an extra reason to book those plane tickets 😉).

1 – Travel is Proven to Help Reduce Stress

80% of American citizens notice a drop in their stress levels when they go on vacation. Yes, we know that travel can be stressful at times (packing, the queues at the airport, lost luggage 😱) but those things don’t always happen anyway. And, correct me if I’m wrong, but one of the best feelings at the start of your vacation happen once you’re through security and sitting down with your first beer, coffee, wine, or juice at that airport gate. Sometimes it’s the promise of a change of scenery, or 2 full weeks away from the office that can immediately change your outlook. All we know is: travel is proven to help reduce stress.

2 – Your Vacation Activities Can Put a Spring in Your Step

And sometimes we mean literally. Whether you’ve packed your itinerary with hikes, mountain biking, treks, mountain climbing, archery, kayaking… the options are endless really aren’t they, or you plan to park your butt on the beach or by the pool with a cocktail and a good book to escape in, it’s more than likely that you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors. That’s great. The fresh air, the scenery – it can all make life seem more hopeful and joyful. This is especially true if the weather plays ball. Escaping from the rain into the tropics is never a bad idea really, is it? You’re bound to return home with a spring in your step.

3 – Travel Can Give You a Creative Burst

If you’ve been stuck doing mundane tasks recently, the creative side of your brain is probably screaming for some stimulation. Luckily, travel gives you the perfect opportunity for a boost of creativity. Whether you enjoy journaling or painting and drawing your way through cities, or connecting with locals who have their own stories to tell, there’s nothing like a deep dive into the unknown to get your creative juices flowing. Think about all the stories you tell when you come back home, the photo albums your create from your memories. Travel can absolutely give you the creative burst you need.

4 – Getting Away From Work Can Actually Boost Your Productivity

That’s right, there’s nothing better than leaving behind a situation or a scene that’s zapping you of your energy and productivity. In fact, 94% of travelers in a case study of 400 people by a Harvard Business Review study claimed that they had more energy on returning to the office after a break, which meant they could complete their tasks quicker and to a higher standard when they could before their vacation. Make sure you slip that one in when you’re asking your boss for time off and get ready for the green light.

5 – Traveling Can Improve Your Relationships

When was the last time you really paid attention to your lover, your best friend, your family? Ok, we definitely pay attention to the people in our lives, but over time, in a monotonous situation… that attention can dwindle, and sometimes it can leave us feeling a little bit lonely, or unsatisfied. Traveling with your partner, friends, and family can help strengthen the bond between you all and rekindle emotions at the same time. That feeling of bonding with those we love can help us to feel settled, loved, and appreciated. Traveling together, taking time to take up activites you love, and going on little dates out when you’re on vacation can have a vast, positive impact on your relationships.

Solo travelers out there, don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about you. Traveling solo can help you improve your relationship with yourself. And getting to know ourselves, trusting ourselves out on adventures and going easy on ourselves instead of losing ourselves in the fast pace of every day life can seriously improve your happiness. Get to know yourself even deeper than you ever have before.

Are you ready to work on making a positive impact on your mental health? Don’t struggle alone, and remember that taking time out for yourself is just as important as taking time out for those around you. Get busy thinking about where you’d like to travel to next and let us know where you decide to go in the comments below.