During the CoViD-19 pandemic, it became clear to us how much travel is important for our mental health. Depression and mental illness went rampant because people weren’t able to leave their houses. According to medambien, an authorised online pharmacy, painkillers and antidepressants were the most sold medications during the pandemic. In fact, several pharmacies went short of these medications.
When many countries lifted the travel ban in 2021, it caused the highest travel surge worldwide. As a result, nearly half the world’s population travelled to regain their mental health.
How does travelling benefit your mental health?
Travelling allows your brain to experience change, which is crucial for mental health. No human can remain sane by living the same day over and over again. Scientifically speaking, people who don’t go on a vacation for 5 years have a 30% higher risk of heart attack than those who travel more frequently. This is because travelling boosts your brain function, fitness, and personality. Below are the 8 major mental health benefits of travelling.
1. Mental relaxation
To get a break from the daily grind of life, the first thing that comes to mind is going somewhere else. Travelling is one of the best ways to ease your mind and body from stress. Going to a new place excites you for new experiences, adventures, and challenges. In addition, changing your environment and surroundings positively affects your mental health. Repetitive routine stress out the brain, whereas a varying one relaxes it.
2.  Source of happiness
It has been proved scientifically that travelling makes us happy and content. This is because the idea of travelling, especially with our loved ones, releases dopamine, the hormone that causes feelings of happiness and joy. When you travel, you become excited to spend time with your family and friends and make several happy memories. Later when you relive these memories, you feel joyful and happy. Feeling such positive emotions help combat general stress and anxiety that occurs on a daily basis. Travelling lets you have new experiences and create new memories that heal your brain, body, and soul.
3. Bigger social circle
Having a social life is important for us because humans are social beings. You need to have mutual relations with others for your mental health. Travelling to new places allows you to meet new people, experience and understand different cultures and lifestyles, and view the world from different perspectives. Travelling also diversifies your social circle, where you interact with people from different nations. This helps you to develop mentally as well as socially. Connecting with others is highly beneficial for your emotional and personal growth.
4. Cures depression
Going on a vacation is one of the most effective ways to cure anxiety and depression. Negativity creeps over when you get exhausted and drained from living the same routine repeatedly. Negative thoughts can make you feel hopeless, irritable, and volatile. In severe cases, people suffer from chronic depression and suicide ideation. Travelling provides you with more possibilities and opportunities, which are the base factors for motivation and inspiration.
5. Confidence
When you travel, you’re met with challenges. For instance, asking directions, finding your way, shopping alone, ordering food, and making reservations. These may look like easy tasks, but for some people, especially introverts and those with shy personalities, they’re more of a challenge. Travelling helps you build confidence as you have to step out of your comfort zone.
Many surveys show that people become more self-reliant when they travel compared to those who don’t.
6. Independence
It has been scientifically proven that travel promotes a sense of independence. Many studies show that travelling makes people independent. Travellers have better problem-solving skills and are more knowledgeable than those who don’t travel. They are also good critical thinkers, wise, and emotionally intelligent. Having a strong mind helps you live your life fully without depending on anyone.
7. Creativity
Going to a new place with a different atmosphere boosts your creativity. You get to have new experiences, meet new people, learn new stuff, and hear new ideas. All of this opens your mind to new possibilities. Creativity helps you think outside the box and see opportunities when others can’t. Creativity makes you curious, innovative, and motivated. These positive mental attributes help prevent several mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression.
8. Better communication
During your trip, you meet and interact with many different people. Connecting in person helps improve your communication skills, which are crucial when it comes to mental health. Poor communication may lead to misunderstandings, which is considered to be the biggest problem in relationships. In fact, lack of communication is one of the driving forces of stress, anxiety, and depression in society. Travelling maximises your communication with others and helps you share your thoughts in the best way.
The bottom line
Travelling should be an essential part of our life as our mental health greatly depends on the change it brings in our life. Going on a trip boosts your mood, happiness, and overall mental health. Travelling helps you relieve stress and opens your mind to different possibilities. It also makes you more confident, independent, and creative. Communication is also an important aspect that flourishes due to travel. So, plan a trip this year, meet your loved ones, make great memories, and live your life with a positive attitude.