Did you know that travelling is actually good for your mental health? If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or low, a relaxing getaway could be just what you need to recuperate. Whether you need to get out of a rut, take a break from everyday life or perk yourself up, travel is good for the soul. Here are a few reasons why travelling is good for you.
Travel increases your creativity
If you’re feeling like your creativity has been drained away, travel could be just what you need to give you a creative spark. New experiences (the more different to your everyday, the better) improve the neuroplasticity of your brain, subsequently boosting creativity. There’s no better way to shake away writer’s block (or any other form of a creative lull) than travelling the world, seeing new places and immersing yourself in different cultures.
Travel lowers your stress levels
Sometimes you just need to get away from it all to relieve stress. Sunshine is a great way of getting rid of stress, increasing your Vitamin D and serotonin levels, making your feel happier – what better excuse for a week spent relaxing on a beach? Any form of travel can help to lower stress levels though, as you leave your everyday worries and work stresses behind and focus on enjoying yourself in the moment.
Travel helps you to adapt to change
Not only does travel help you adapt to change, but it also helps to prepare you to deal with difficult situations. When you’re travelling, you have to cope with language and culture barriers, navigating new places, meeting new people and handling unpredictable circumstances. This all helps to prepare you to deal with stress and anxiety in your everyday life when you return home.
Travel gets you out of a rut
Sometimes it’s hard to feel happy or excited when your daily life feels monotonous. When you travel, you are constantly bombarded with new and exciting sights, sounds, smells and tastes, stimulating your brain while improving your mood and boosting your self-confidence.
Travel can cheer you up
If you’re feeling low, travel can help to boost your mood by providing a break from reality. Without the worries of your daily life and by taking the time to relax, as well as experiencing a surge in ‘happy’ neurotransmitters (serotonin) from all that sunshine, you will start to feel less stressed and anxious and more calm and happy.
Emma Lavelle is a UK based writer and photographer and has her own blog Field and Nest.
