Everyone loves to travel. You’ll probably have muttered at least once to yourself this week that you need a holiday! Holidays can be hugely beneficial to your mental health and give you something to plan and look forward to. Remember, if you are struggling with your mental health this festive season, reaching out to a depression helpline can offer support and guidance.
Travelling abroad has changed considerably over the last ten years. If you ask your parents or your grandparents, yes they will have travelled but its the attitudes towards travelling that differs the most. As the years have gone by, the number of people and families who travel abroad has increased incredibly, making the aviation and tourism industry one of the richest in the world.
The motivation to travel today is growing, with most Millenials choosing to prioritise spending their money on experiences over materialistic items. There are many reasons why people are finding travelling abroad attractive, whether it’s the adventures, the cultural differences or even the Instagram pictures. The common denominator has to be the feeling that it gives people. No one can argue that travelling abroad doesn’t make you feel good.
There are some clear links to improve mental health and travelling. Whether it be the need to recharge after a long period of working or something to help you with some mental health problems. Be that depression or social anxiety. Let’s look at some of the ways travelling does this.
Mental Health & Travelling Abroad
But what is the solution to mental health? There isn’t a complete solution, but there is an extensive list of ways to support those struggling with mental health symptoms – from medication to therapy and now CBD oils. It could be as common as a fear of heights, but as Phobiaman suggests, traveling even just to a local hill or mountain, little by little helps you overcome that fear.
What many aren’t aware of, is the correlation between good mental health and travelling abroad.
There are some clear links to improving mental health and travelling. Whether it be the need to recharge after a long period of working or something to help you with some mental health problems. Be that depression or social anxiety. Let’s look at some of the ways travelling does this.
When you put the words travel and mental health together, there’s an instant parallel – whether it’s ‘I can’t wait to relax’, ‘I can’t wait to take a break’ or ‘I can’t wait for a week of all-inclusive food and drink.’ Whatever it may be, there’s a switch in your head that immediately flicks to ‘relaxation mode’ and you’re finally in your happy place.
Travelling Gives You a Change of Scenery
A simple change of scenery is often all we need to reignite our lust for life. If you’ve been struggling to find motivation for your studies, you’re stuck in a rut at work or you’ve just come out of a tough relationship, hitting the pause button to go travelling can be the perfect way to restore yourself.
Staying in one place and doing the same thing every day may be a comfort to some but for others, it can often make you feel trapped both physically and mentally. Switching up your daily routine and location by journeying somewhere new will help stimulate your mind, boost your happiness levels and make you feel like you’re doing something worthwhile with your time.
Travelling Promotes Independence
If you’ve not spent much time away from home, setting yourself the challenge of going travelling for a few weeks (or months!) will definitely give you a sense of independence. If you aren’t very good at budgeting, try living on less than £5 per day in South East Asia. Or maybe you’re not very confident around people you don’t know, so going on group tours or staying in a hostel will show you just how easy making friends can be.
All these classic travelling experiences can seem daunting, but you’ll realise just how good they’ve been for you when you get home and find simple day-to-day situations so much easier to handle.
Help Find Yourself
There is definitely a bit of a cliche when it comes to travelling and “finding yourself.” However, there is some substance behind it. When you’re suffering from your mental health issues, finding yourself again can be a positive step in the right direction.
Travelling allows you to undergo a period of self-reflection. You have the chance to evaluate yourself in a holistic way alongside your thoughts and how you choose to change or adapt these for the better. Doing this while travelling provides you with a good space in which to do this.
Before You Go…
If you are going on holiday, you’ll have a better peace of mind if all of your documents are ready. Be aware of countries that may need visas. Paperwork can be a mess but luckily these days, countries such as Oman will offer an Oman E-Visa, so it can all be done online before you go. Even Canada is offering a form of electronic visa through a Canada eTA
Always make sure that your passport is in date (it needs to have six months left before you travel) and that you have researched where you’re going so that you know the customs and traditions.
