Is your calendar full of obligations, appointments, activities that your children are involved in? Things that you need to do, but don’t necessarily want to do? Are you on overload at work? Feeling burnt out? Feeling like each day is just a repeat of the one before (anyone see the movie, “Groundhog’s Day”???). It may time to take book some travel and take a road trip! May 24th is National Road Trip Day…perfect timing…right before Memorial Day Weekend, and the unofficial kickoff of summer!
There are many mental health benefits of travel. Here are a few to help you relax, recharge, and enjoy new experiences with your family and friends:
Traveling can reduce tension and stress in your life. Experiencing the beauty of nature and a new place can be stimulating and calming. Planning for the vacation gives you something to look forward to, something fun on your calendar in the future. This is a great opportunity to keep your mental health in check by having a vacation planned.
Taking a vacation resets your mind and body, having a positive impact on your mental health. The benefits of travel can impact you for weeks upon your return home.
Taking a break from work, the hustle and bustle of everyday life can help you be more productive upon your return. Visiting a new place can stimulate your brain in new ways and allows you to let go of the stress of daily life and take time to be present and in the moment.
Increase your creativity by traveling! When you go to a new destination, you can experience the culture, the food, the music, and the life of the locals in that community. If you travel to a foreign country, take time to learn the language…that will not only help improve your cognition, but it will also help you communicate more effectively with the locals, who will be happy to show you their city!
Do you like driving? Plan the ultimate road trip! You are the author of your road trip story when you get behind the wheel. With driving (verse flying), you have the freedom to plan your own schedule. There are no deadlines. You can head in whatever direction you want and stop at those little, random tourist traps along the way!
While driving, it gives you the opportunity to disconnect from social media, email, and those endless notifications on your phone. You can explore the great outdoors by taking the road less travelled. You can have the entire car go “tech free” and enjoy good, wholesome conversation with your fellow travelers. This is a great opportunity to have intimate conversations, play travel games: the license plate game is one of my brother’s and my favorites to play, or sing along to your favorite road trip playlist. When was the last time you were truly alone with someone you loved, with zero distractions? A road trip is the perfect time to take advantage of this time together.
Traveling has many mental health benefits. It fosters connection and community. It can recharge you in ways that you did not expect. In today’s world, many people cherish experiences over things (who needs more stuff, anyways???)…so take time this summer and plan the ultimate road trip. It will be good for your whole health: mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional.
