Did you know that almost 20 percent of American adults experienced some form of mental illness in 2018?
While a lot of us struggle with mental illness, the good news is that there are a lot of things you can do to combat it, from medication to meditation to talk therapy.
But, here’s something that many people don’t know- traveling is also a great way to combat mental illness. In fact, traveling offers mental health benefits to everyone, even those who aren’t ill.
So, what’s so great about traveling?
Check out this guide to learn about why traveling is good for you and the mental health benefits it offers.
1. Lowers Stress Levels
Whether it’s a long commute to work, a tough work deadline, or a hectic home life, our daily lives can be very stressful. In fact, a recent Gallup poll found that 8 in 10 Americans are afflicted by stress and that Americans are among the most stressed-out people in the world.
This is why traveling is so great. When you travel, you get to take a break from the stresses of your daily life. Nobody expects anything of you when you’re traveling, which means you can completely relax and go with the flow.
2. Happiness Booster
It’s no surprise that many of our happier when we’re on vacation. However, what many people don’t know is that the effects of travel aren’t just felt during our trip- people also experience a mood boost before and after their travels.
In fact, a study conducted by Cornell University found that we get more happiness from an anticipated travel experience than we do from buying a new product.
And, another study from the University of Surrey found that people are feeling their happiest when they have a trip planned. They’re more positive about their economic situation, their health, and their overall quality of life.
3. Enhances Creativity
It’s no coincidence that some of the world’s greatest artists and writers like Ernest Hemingway, Georgia O’Keefe, and Pablo Picasso were also world travelers.
This is because travel can enhance creativity. This is because our brains are very sensitive to change and they become easily impacted by new experiences and new environments.
So, if you want to get your creative juices flowing, you should immerse yourself in a new culture. Not only can this enhance your creativity, but it can also influence your outlook on life and make you more open-minded.
4. Gives You a Sense of Achievement
Traveling can also give you a major sense of achievement.
If the thought of visiting a new place makes you feel anxious, facing this fear head-on can make you feel like you’ve really accomplished something.
With this sense of achievement usually also comes a sense of inner-strength and a boost in your self-esteem.
5. Promotes Independence
Last but not least, traveling can also help promote independence, especially if you embark on a solo vacation.
When you travel alone, you have to take all the scheduling into your own hands, take the initiative to meet new people, and lean on only yourself when something goes wrong.
While all this can seem daunting at first, you’ll soon find out that you’re capable of doing all this on your own.
Of course, there are some things you can do to ease the stress of traveling by yourself, such as booking your accommodation ahead of time through worldroamer.com.
Why Traveling Is Good for You: Wrap Up
As you can see, there are a lot of reasons why traveling is good for you. Now, all you need to do is book your trip.
And if you liked this article, be sure to check back in with our blog regularly.