“Travel expands the mind and fills the gap.” —Ibn Battuta
Can you recall the last time you felt totally stressed out at work or frustrated with the sometimes boring routines of daily life? Does it feel like you’re being pulled in a thousand directions, with demands coming at you like bullets from family, friends, and bosses? During these times, you may imagine that you’re out on a canoe over the crystalline waters of the Maldives. Perhaps you imagine yourself booking a stay at a luxury wellness retreat, one where your body is nourished with great food and your mind with activities like nature walks, yoga, and massage. Travel is indeed, one of the most restorative activities you can partake in…one that challenges, relaxes, and intrigues you all at once.
Soothing Stress
If you thought that you needed thousands of dollars and a plane ride to experience the restorative effects of travel, think again! One study showed that
even a four-day vacation can significantly lower stress levels and boost your well-being for up to 45 days post-vacation. Another survey has found that 80% of people feel that travel enhances their mood, and 75% state that it helps them battle stress. The impact of travel is physiological. That is, it reduces levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Having chronically high levels of cortisol is linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and many more serious conditions. Indeed, research has shown that travel
causes beneficial physiological changes, such as decreased heart rates and improvements in heart rate variability.
Enjoying Life at Your Own Pace
Road trips are enjoying a big surge in popularity in the US, with nearly 82% of American adults (around 212 million people) saying that they intend to travel within the year, and around 75% saying
they intend to take a road trip. There is plenty of scientific backing for taking to the road. One study has found that moderate-length trips may have stronger restorative effects than very short or very long ones. Road trips strike a perfect balance by allowing travelers to take each day as it comes, stopping at places they fancy and enjoying both city and nature experiences if they wish. When
you’re traveling in a comfy SUV instead of a cramped plane, the stress of airports, check-ins, and new transport systems are removed from the equation. You’re in the driving seat, and you can ensure your family is safe and stop as often as you need to rest and recuperate. With your hands on the wheel and your favorite music playing, what’s there to stress about?
Travel Boosts Your Creativity
When you head into unchartered territory, you are called upon to think creatively and put your problem-solving skills to the test. From working out how the London subway works to cracking the bus system in Chicago, you can grow increasingly confident with every sojourn. Travel immerses you in a plethora of new sights, sounds, and tastes. It
invites you to think flexibly and try out a host of diverse experiences, thus increasing your positive emotions and providing you with a magnificent chance to connect with new people.
If life has been a bit stressful or repetitive, consider taking a trip to a bucket-list destination. You don’t need to splurge or go abroad; road trips are some of the best ways to discover new places at your own pace. Know that vacations do much more than satisfy your curiosity. They have powerful effects on your mental, physical, and emotional health, and they offer a chance to be your most creative self.
