Expat Explore wholeheartedly believes that taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health! In recent years, individuals and organisations have begun placing more importance on mental wellbeing. While a stigma around mental illness still exists, it is becoming far less taboo to discuss. This has allowed people to be more open about their mental health struggles and, as a result, feel much less alone.
World Mental Health Day takes place annually on 10 October and brings awareness to mental health issues by educating the public and advocating against social stigma. There are many ways to take care of your mental health and to combat depression and anxiety. We’re sure you already know that therapy, medication and social support are great treatments for mental health but did you know that travel can also be incredibly beneficial for your mental health?
In honour of World Mental Health Day, here are five ways in which travel can be greatly beneficial for your mental wellbeing:
1. Travel relieves stress
What do you do when work and daily life becomes too difficult? Take a break! Or, better yet, plan a holiday. Stress is one of the leading causes of depression and anxiety. It can also cause serious physical ailments such as headaches, asthma, high blood pressure and even heart problems! It is important that we recognise when our body and mind are under stress so that we can take the necessary steps to manage that stress. One of the best ways to deal with stress is to rest and one of the best ways to rest is to take a holiday!
Travelling will help you to feel relaxed and rejuvenated while immersing yourself in a travel experience will take your mind off the stressors of everyday life. When you return, you will likely feel more clear headed with a stronger sense of focus and concentration. A study conducted by the Journal of Organizational Behaviour found that some people can even feel the positive effects of their vacation up to five weeks afterwards!
Related: Discover the most relaxing destinations to travel to!
2. Travel allows you to get to know yourself better
Exposing yourself to different people and places when travelling can help you to figure out what is really important in life. It also gives you space to think about your personal goals and interests away from your regular routine. New experiences can help us to discover new passions. This can lead to embarking on new career paths or picking up new hobbies. Keeping busy by doing things that you enjoy is the best way to maintain a healthy mental state of mind! This is also a fantastic way to build confidence. By trying new things, we become less scared of the unknown which, in turn, makes us less anxious.
Travel certainly makes you more empathetic and compassionate. This can be helpful in combating depression, reminding us that the world is bigger than us alone. It also strengthens your ability to communicate effectively with different types of people. Being able to adapt to your surroundings and those around you teaches patience and makes you emotionally resilient.
Related: Thinking of travelling alone? Here are some tips for solo travellers.
3. Travelling makes you feel like you’re part of a community
So often when we feel lonely, we get depressed or anxious. Socialising and spending time with loved ones is known to boost serotonin, a chemical which greatly affects your mood. Spending time with fellow travellers and meeting new people from diverse backgrounds while travelling has the very same effect. Travelling helps you to form deeper connections and to meet people with similar interests.
When you embark on an Expat Explore tour, your fellow travellers become like family. Many of our travellers have made lifelong friends or even met their future spouse on tour! The great big world can feel intimidating at times but travelling reminds us that we are not alone. No matter the cultural differences or geographical divides, there will always be ways in which we can relate to one other.
Related: Read more about some of the incredible friendships made on tour here.
4. New experiences can get you out of your rut
It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut. Same old day, same old routine. Travelling can get you out of this rut by opening your eyes to new experiences such as new foods, activities and traditions. Going somewhere new also provides a much needed change of scenery. If you’re tired of staring at the same four walls day after day, travel is the answer!
The Covid-19 pandemic had a devastating effect on much of the population’s mental health. This is largely due to the fact that travel was put on pause and much of the world was locked down for months on end. However, travel is back and the world is open once again! Expat Explore pressed play on travel in September 2021 with our Best of Greece tour and has been back on the road ever since.
Related: If you’re still feeling uneasy about travelling, read our blog about why you should travel with confidence in 2022.
5. Travelling pushes you to be active
Physical activities and exercise are extremely beneficial to one’s mental health. Regular exercise combats depression, aids sleep, improves your memory and relieves stress. However, when you’re feeling down, the last thing you might feel like doing is dragging yourself to the gym. While travelling, physical activity becomes easier and more enjoyable. Simple things like walking around a city or park or taking a hike to a scenic spot can really improve your overall mood. A study conducted by Harvard University found that just 15 minutes of running or walking a day can reduce depression by 26%!
There are also a wide variety of wellness related activities that you can partake in while travelling. From swimming and surfing to mountain climbing and hiking, adventurous activities release endorphins. These chemicals give you energy and make you feel good! Alternatively, you could relax in a spa or get a traditional massage to relieve stress and muscle tension.
Related: Discover some of the top wellness activities around the world!
If you’re looking for a way to ease stress, improve your mood, get out of a rut or learn more about yourself and the world around you, why not visit somewhere new? We know that planning a trip can be stressful in itself, that’s why Expat Explore takes care of all the planning for you! Book one of our upcoming tours and we’ll take care of the rest!