Depressed, Sad, Anxious? Travel, Travel, Travel!
BY: Neighbors’ Consejo|
We love getting to know new places, cultures and people when we make the decision to get in a car and drive, take a train, or buy a plane ticket. Traveling then, is the hobby of many but we really do not know the benefits that this activity or hobby has for our emotional well-being.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council[1] , there are nine reasons why traveling favors our mental health: Travel gives us opportunities to try new things and meet new people, helping us combat monotony. Activities, like walking, hiking, and skiing, in scenic areas can help us become more hopeful, it is great for relieving stress and improving our general outlook on life, helps our brains function better and boosts creativity. Time away from work can increase our energy and productivity at work, taking a trip helps us do good, which helps us feel good, a wellness trip can contribute to stronger mental health, doing something we enjoy makes us happy, and traveling with loved ones helps meet our needs for love and belonging.
However, traveling can also cause us stress or anxiety, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2] , so it recommends that before the trip, we check if a doctor is necessary to talk about our emotional well-being, and if we use any substance or have psychiatric problems, to be in constant contact with the specialist during the trip.
During the trip it is vital to eat healthy and exercise regularly so when we feel stressed, anxious, angry or depressed we can cope in a better way. It is necessary to take all medications that the doctor prescribed, and after the trip, if we feel that our symptoms like anxiety or depression continue, it is advisable to visit a specialist[3] .
In conclusion, traveling improves our emotional well-being; Forbes also states this[4] : It is a great stress buster, it helps you reinvent yourself, it boosts happiness and satisfaction and it makes you mentally resilient.
References
[1]https://travelhub.wttc.org/blog/9-reasons-travel-is-good-for-your-mental-health
[2]https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/mental-health