How to Successfully Relieve Stress by Traveling in 2020
Overview
This new year is already turning out to be stressful and uncertain, and it is just the third month! When all of the chaos has mellowed, and we are already cleared to step out of our homes, traveling will definitely be on top of the to-do lists to relieve all the stress and anxiety. Although observing proper precautions is definitely still in order.
So why is traveling a great way to release stress? For the longest time, it has been a favorite activity of so many people all over the world, but it is only until recently that studies of researchers have concluded both the physiological and psychological benefits of traveling.
Why is Traveling a Great Way to Release Stress?
Studies show that the benefits of going to different places are remarkable and here is why:
1. Travel Takes Your Mind Off From Pressing Concerns
Too much pressure in our personal lives or at work puts too much stress and anxiety on our shoulders. Traveling or even just planning a dream vacation can already release the stress that causes insomnia, high blood pressure, and too much tension.
2. Nature Exposes Us to Fresh Air and Sunshine
When we travel and expose ourselves to nature, we receive more fresh air that increases oxygenation in our blood, energizing our bodies more. Sunshine, on the other hand, gives us Vitamin D, elevates our mood, and may help keep depression at bay. Therefore, it is smart to choose a trip that will make us a lot closer to the environment.
3. Relaxation Relieves Tension
Whether you prefer a beach trip in Turks and Caicos, or a mountain trek in Morocco, go on cave tubing in Belize, or simply a hotel staycation, studies show that doing the things you love to do the most will make you more relaxed and in turn, relieve tension off your body and mind. We usually associate our travels with being calm and stress-free, and this, right here, is great for your body and overall health.
4. Travelling Sparks More Creativity
According to professor and author Adam Galinksy, new experiences increase the flexibility of our cognitive senses and the capacity of our thoughts for integration, and we become more capable of making deep connections between different forms. In essence, when we see new sights, hear new sounds, or smell new scents, all contribute to sparking the creative juices inside our brains.
5. Mental Health Benefits From Traveling
Travelling has tremendous benefits for our mental health. According to a survey conducted by the US Travel Association, traveling, particularly among retirees, helps improve or prevent dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
The travel stats of the study also showed that 86% of those who travel have a more positive outlook on life in comparison to 75% who do not travel as much.
6. Heart Health Also Improves Due to Travel
According to the Framingham Heart Study, it was discovered that traveling strengthens our heart conditions and that those who did not travel or go on a vacation for long periods or several years were more like to suffer from heart attacks than those who traveled often or yearly.
A study also showed that women who traveled less had a higher risk of developing a heart attack or coronary death. The same study also showed that men who did not take yearly vacations had a 30 percent greater risk of death caused by heart diseases. Those who travel away from their work or homes were more relaxed and have lower stress and anxiety levels, which also lessen the strains on their hearts.
7. Happiness Levels Improve When Planning a Trip
A Cornell research that was conducted in 2014 found out that people experience very high happiness levels just by the thought that they have an upcoming vacation compared to when they are going to purchase something. Another research done by the University of Surrey professors found out that people are excited and happy when there is a schedule trip coming up. In essence, by simply planning a trip, vacation or just a family car journey can improve your overall health and well-being.
8. Positive Feelings From Travel Extend Beyond Coming Home
There have also been reports that people who have returned home from their trips have continued to feel stress-free and lighthearted even a few weeks after their vacations. This means that the benefits you reap from traveling are not just short-lived. Research shows that great experience from a trip or travel results in fewer stressful days that extend at least five weeks later. That means traveling, and vacations are stress relievers that are quite a long term.
Given all the health benefits of traveling, you are very much capable of successfully combating your own stress levels with a little help from a vacation. But in addition to all these tremendous benefits, here are some additional steps to take in order to ensure and achieve that holistic or overall stress relief brought by traveling:
9. Plan ahead
Given that even just dreaming of an upcoming vacation lessens stress levels, it is best to plan ahead. This includes finding reliable travel companies, such as online travel agency MustGo, that will help you with booking affordable flights and hotel accommodations, identifying potential places to visit, selecting possible itineraries, identifying a workable budget. Travel stats from Google show that hotels and flights are usually booked 12 weeks in advance or three months prior to a trip.
10. Research, Research, Research
Sometimes, the difference between an amazing trip and a lousy one is the amount of research done or conducted. Researching is also a form of planning ahead, and although sometimes spontaneity is also cool, knowing and identifying ahead where to go and what to do will save you a lot of time, money, and effort. What are the best sites to see? What are some food and specialties to try? Are there group or budget tours available? Having the knowledge ahead will not just manage your stress, but will also make sure that you get to fully enjoy your trip.
11. Go Natural or Sustainable
According to the other stats, 70% of travelers from all over the world were most likely to book accommodation if they learn that the place is eco-friendly, whether or not they were thinking of booking something sustainable or not. Getting in touch with nature is one of the reasons why traveling or vacationing lowers stress levels. When one goes out to see and experience nature, such as cave tubing, which is one of the greatest options of things to do in Belize, or trekking beautiful mountains in Africa, the benefits are monumental.
12. Take Time to Relax
Researches are consistent – traveling is good for your overall health. According to travel stats of different countries, visitor purposes vary from destination to destination. So, it’s very important to choose the right option that will meet your expectations. If you travel but only do strenuous activities, then it might not totally address the ultimate goal of stress-relief. Traveling may have a purely relaxing itinerary, but if you are the adventurous type, then mixing it with relaxing activities such as a sauna bath or spa massage after hiking or skiing and other tiring activities, then your brain can attribute such feel-good emotions to your vacation. This will result in improvements in your physical, mental, and psychological health.
13. Be Open But Precautious
Travelling will open your mind to various cultures and experiences, and the best way to successfully relieve stress is to be open and enjoy the different practices and activities that your trip can offer as long as these are practiced with precaution. With all the things that are happening around the world, it is still practical to observe safety guidelines while enjoying your vacation.
Since life can indeed be super stressful, going on a trip and planning a vacation will help you live your life, not just a little but perhaps with more sense or purpose. Travelling has a lot of benefits, and it can improve your life holistically. But to fully achieve this and stay healthy longer, you also have to observe steps or ways to successfully ensure this.