Recently, there has been a significant increase in awareness and understanding of mental health issues. Mental well-being is equally vital as physical health, as the two are intricately associated. All together, they promote a harmonic balance that raises the quality of life generally.
If maintaining a clean and healthy lifestyle is one approach to preserving physical health, then "healing" through travel is a strategy to maintain mental health.
What is "Healing"?
Indeed, the word "healing" refers to the process of healing; nevertheless, in modern times, this term has taken the place of the words "traveling" or "journey." When people travel with the idea of healing themselves, they are doing it with the goal of overcoming a variety of mental, emotional, or spiritual health issues.
Benefits of “Healing” for mental health
Traveling has many benefits for mental health, including:
Makes you happier
While travel isn't the only path to happiness, studies suggest a strong relationship between happiness and exploration. Research indicates that frequent travelers tend to experience elevated levels of happiness. Visiting diverse destinations can evoke positive emotions and stimulate parts of the brain linked to reward.
Lower risk of depression
Traveling has a significant impact on overall mental health, including lowering the risk of depression. The new experiences encountered in each different place not only trigger positive emotions but also allow the mind and body to relax, reduce stress, and restore low energy. The positive experiences also create joy, satisfaction, and an overall improvement in mood.
Read more: First Time Traveling With Babies, This Is What Needs To Be Prepared
Helps overcome "burnout"
Chronic fatigue, decreased performance, changes in eating or sleeping patterns, withdrawal, decreased satisfaction with work, feeling unappreciated, feeling like your efforts are not paying off, headaches, indigestion, and high blood pressure are all signs you are experiencing job burnout. Traveling on vacation is one of the most effective ways to deal with burnout.
Traveling can provide time to relax, get away from the daily routine, and reduce stress levels and fatigue related to burnout. The change of environment and beautiful scenery help to calm the mind so that you can find new inspiration and find time for self-reflection.
Read more: Physical Signs Of Experiencing Job Burnout
Rebuild relationships with loved ones
Traveling can deepen relationships with loved ones, be they partners, family, or friends. Traveling together provides an opportunity to spend intensive time together, creating a stronger bond.
The experiences shared during the trip also create beautiful memories that can rebuild the foundations of a close relationship.
Relieves stress
Chronic stress can detrimentally impact mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Traveling is an effective remedy for stress, offering a reprieve from daily routines and relieving pressure. It provides a much-needed escape from work-related stressors, allowing people to unwind and recharge.
Stress and burnout can affect both physical and mental health. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
Looking for more tips and tricks for health, first aid, and other home treatments? Click here!
- dr. Alvidiani Agustina Damanik
Psychology Today (2022). Get the Best Psychological Boost Out of Your Vacation. Available from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/evidence-based-living/202207/get-the-best-psychological-boost-out-your-vacation
Stacey Lastoe and Hilary I. Lebow (2022). 5 Ways Travel Is Good for Your Mental Health. Available from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/ways-travel-is-good-for-your-mental-health/
Stephanie Brown (2023). This Is How Many Vacation Days You Should Take to Stay Healthy, According to New Research. Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-are-vacations-healthy-7504200
WHO (2022). Mental health. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response/?
Quinn Phillips (2023). Why Time Off Is So Good for Your Health. Available from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/self-care/why-taking-time-off-is-so-good-for-your-health/
National Institute of Mental Health (2022). Caring for Your Mental Health. Available from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health
Joni Sweet (2021). Frequent Travel Can Make for Happier Life, Study Shows. Available from: https://www.verywellmind.com/study-shows-more-frequent-travel-can-make-for-happier-life-5094820
WebMD (2021). How Travel Affects Mental Health. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/how-travel-affects-mental-health
Cleveland Clinic (2022). What Is Burnout?. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/signs-of-burnout
Hedy Marks (2023). Stress Symptoms. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-symptoms-effects_of-stress-on-the-body