The Life-Changing Impact of Travel on Mental Health
Note: This article was originally posted in May 2023 on the previous version of our website.
As our team celebrated Mental Health Awareness Week earlier this year, we couldn't help but dive into a topic that's close to our hearts: the incredible impact of travel and adventure on our mental health. This shared passion led us to create this blog, where we share our personal experiences and insights on the transformative power of mindful travel. We've discovered that each trip we take and every new place we explore leaves us with a fresh outlook and a healthier state of mind. Whether we're connecting with nature, immersing ourselves in different cultures, or challenging ourselves through outdoor fitness activities, we’ve experienced the power of mindful travel to transform lives.
So, what is mindful travel?
Tyla explains that mindful travel is:
“…a practice of intentional, conscious and present-moment awareness while travelling to new places. It means that when we enter new environments - we fully dive into them and experience them with an open mind and a willingness to learn and grow. Mindful travel encourages us to be fully present and attentive to our surroundings, our thoughts, and our emotions. By experiencing the world in a deliberate and mindful way we can begin to grow a deeper appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our planet, while also looking after our mental and emotional well-being.”
What the research shows
We all know first-hand that travel can make us feel absolutely fantastic, and there is plenty of emerging research to back this up. In one study from the Netherlands, it was found that travel helped improve the psychiatric health of patients. Some of the positive impacts they observed included a positive influence on self-esteem, regular social contact, getting out of the monotony of daily routines, and enrichment of life from enjoyment and cherishable memories. What’s more, just as art therapy and music therapy have become widely-accepted treatment modalities for mental health, ‘travel therapy’ is emerging as a cutting-edge field of study in the psychology world.
How mindful travel has changed our lives
As our team shared and reflected on our personal experiences and insights on how travel nourishes our mental well-being, several powerful themes emerged. We’d love to share these with you here:
1. Travel shifts your perspective
One of the magical parts of travelling is how it shifts our viewpoints and introduces us to new ways of living. When we venture beyond our familiar surroundings, we encounter diverse cultures, customs, and outlooks on life. It's in these moments that we find ourselves reflecting on what truly matters. As our team member Holly says, "The fresh air hits different when it's not your hometown. You can feel removed from the stresses of normal life and reflect on what's important."
2. Travel encourages mindfulness and reflection
There's something truly soothing about mindfully soaking up the moment. Travel gifts us with the mental space to bathe in the here and now, allowing us to pause, reflect, and dream. It's a chance to be fully present and attentive to our surroundings, thoughts, and feelings. As we embrace the world with open minds and a willingness to learn and grow, we cultivate a deeper appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our planet. Just like Holly, many people find that "being able to experience another way of life is something really magical. Travelling to other places allows me to slow down compared to my normal day-to-day life."
3. Travel introduces you to new possibilities
Have you ever been travelling and met someone who forever changed you? Or taken up an activity that you never would have tried at home? That's the beauty of travel – it introduces us to new possibilities. As Tyla shares:
"I recently completed my Divemaster training in Thailand, which I would have never thought of doing if I wasn't willing to take the chance and stay open-minded to the possibilities. I now have so much more knowledge about the planet, nature conservation and an even deeper passion for the ocean. This passion brings so much joy and purpose which increases my mental health ten-fold.”
Flo adds that travel gives her the opportunity to try new foods, see new sights, and learn other customs. And the novelty she gets from travel often translates into new ideas for work and life.
4. Travel reconnects you to the natural world
In the concrete jungles of our daily lives, travel offers an escape into the arms of nature. Research has shown the positive impact of nature exposure on mental health, and travel provides abundant opportunities for us to reconnect with the natural world. From immersing ourselves in lush forests to diving into crystal-clear waters or simply basking in the warmth of the sun, nature's beauty can awaken our spirits and invigorate our minds. Leila beautifully captures this feeling, sharing, "I always feel my best self when I am travelling. I'm not sure what it is but I all of a sudden feel free and at one with nature. We live in a concrete city so having time out in another country, with the sun on my skin and swimming in the sea, definitely helps me."
5. Travel creates opportunities for gratitude
Travel sparks gratitude within us as we witness the wonders of the world and realise the privileges we enjoy. By experiencing different cultures, lifestyles, and landscapes, we gain a greater appreciation for the beauty and diversity that surrounds us. It's a humbling reminder of how fortunate we are and encourages us to live in gratitude. Stella notes that when she travels, “The opportunity to meet new people, get to know their lifestyle and circumstances gives me a greater perspective on my own life.”
6. Travel breaks you out of your routine
Travel gets us off the treadmill of everyday life, allowing us to trade in our regular ‘to-do’ list for a bit of fun and freedom. It gives us the opportunity to reconsider our daily habits and thought patterns, igniting inspiration and fresh ideas. Stella shares, "Too much routine makes me feel trapped. Travelling gives me that sense of novelty and freedom my brain needs every so often to feel happy." And Flo adds, “It’s important for me to get out of the daily grind and see new things. After a few intense months of work I always feel I need to go somewhere else! I always come back refreshed and more inspired for work.”
The World Awaits
We strongly believe that travel can be your ally in nurturing your mental health, expanding your horizons, and cultivating a new appreciation for the world around you. Every journey holds the potential for healing and transformation, both within and without. So, if you’ve been feeling a little burnt out, stressed or uninspired lately, take it as a sign to pack your bags and book a trip or plan a holiday, to a new destination and a healthier, happier you.