Why is travelling essential for your wellbeing?

Sophie Simpson

25 August 2024, 19:00

Simple answer because we deserve it!!

Every day living in the nineties when I was growing up (having started working at age 15) was totally different to how it is now in the 2024. I remember when i could go to Huddersfield Town with the minimum spend of £1... 25p for bus fare and 49p for my burger from McDs - Who can relate? In this day and age that nugget ain’t getting you to your own doorstep, you can't even switch a tiny light on without the smart meter clocking up, it's madness.

Life in 2024 is tough, the amount of additional stress that is added to our lives everyday can be unbearable for some. To manage or to calm stress and anxiety it is essential that you relieve yourself from intense environments on a regular basis.

Some of you may know that I am a big fan of solo travelling, I really enjoy just being in a different country, soaking up the culture and giving myself space to reboot my back-to-factory settings.

Recently I visited Mallorca; first time visit to the island... Initially I was slightly sceptical of the party reputation so I chose to stay somewhere more quiet that wasn't too remote to ensure that i still had scope to travel about via transport links easily.

My accommodation was in Cala Mayor, it was quiet but it had enough things around within walking distance. Whilst away for my 5 days I planned different excursions that enabled me to travel around, I can’t name all the places that I visited during my time but I became completely obsessed with the capital city Palma. It worked out great that I was organised enough to book my activities in advance, one of them being a scooter tour around the city… WOW, WOWSA, WOW...!! I highly recommend doing a tour if you’re visiting the city, it’s an excellent way to learn about the history, whilst accelerating down hidden pathways. You really get to feel the vibe and appreciate the culture. It’s refreshing to be away from the busy tourist streets and travel along the back roads, which are so beautiful to look at, I was absolutely mesmerised… My scooter kept switching itself off because I was so fascinated by the beautiful architecture.

Writing about it has just brought me back to my holiday... Apologies, as I have completely gone off on a tangent (definitely got caught up in the moment) but i'm now back on business...

Travelling is a great way to practice mindfulness… I don’t mean by the way of sitting still, breathwork and meditating, I mean by being absolutely present… Appreciating the moments as you are in them. I believe that this is an easier process to achieve when you are away on holiday. You don’t have all of your normal distractions pecking away at you every minute of the day.

If you're anything like me you will have everything work related linked to your phone which means that it could potentially be a logistical nightmare in-terms of switching off...  To ensure that I don't get side-tracked from work related distractions I have implemented a personal system. When I am on holiday my time is my time - Emails are set to out of office replies, notifications are switched off from all social media platforms, and my phone is on DND (Do Not Disturb) whilst i am out exploring or engaging in activities. If i can do it, you can do it!

I believe if you are an 80s baby like myself, we’re the last generation to grow up without technology so there was a long time where I didn't have access to a phone or the internet, I didn’t need it and I got by just fine. This is the attitude I adopt whilst on my holidays that allows me to be present, the less screen time the better. So, lets get into some of the reasons why I believe travelling has a positive impact on our wellbeing...

3 reasons why holidays are beneficial for us:

• You’re outside for more hours in a normal day. When you’re on holiday this can be either in the UK or out of the UK, you are most likely going to spend more time outdoors. Being outdoors increases your exposure to daylight which means that your body is absorbing more vitamin D naturally. A couple of years ago I had a vitamin D deficiency which at the time was pretty scary; there are so many symptoms that you don’t link to this such as mood changes, loss of concentration cognitive function, bone aches/pain, fatigue, insomnia, plus a few more (you can look them up)… “Vitamin D is vital to regulate the calcium and phosphate in your body, these nutrients are needed to keep your bones, teeth and muscles healthy. The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors..” (NHS Website) Spending time outdoors is significantly vital for your health and wellbeing.

 

• A holiday reduces daily stress and anxiety. In-terms of your health, being away on holiday can lower your blood pressure and cortisol levels. We all have one million and nine things going on in our lives along with that never ending to do list, it can become overwhelming. When you’re away from home and away from your work environment it can be a massive weight off your shoulders, less pressure gives you more freedom to just be. Time can be a factor - at home or work there is never enough which can cause us to worry, can lead to high blood pressure and can make us anxious. When we’re not stuck within any time constraints, we are able to be more mindful of what we are doing in the moment; being present can make you feel more alive, awaken your senses and heighten gratitude. On holiday you can "woosah" and chill.

 

• It boosts your mood. You know i’m right! It’s such a great feeling when you step off the plane, touch down your feet in another country, the sun hits your face and you soak in the views… You arrive at your accommodation, drop off your cases and take a dip in the pool or get yourself sorted to head out to the beach to soak up some rays… All of this anticipation and excitement sets you off to a wonderful mood. Diana Samuel, MD, an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center states “We feel joy in our bodies because of the release of dopamine and serotonin, two types of neurotransmitters in the brain. Both of these chemicals are heavily associated with happiness (in fact, people with clinical depression often have lower levels of serotonin)” Time away is fulfilling to your serotoning levels and contributes to your internal happiness. After a holiday I always come back with a new zest, i'm fully recharged and motivated. This mood I bring back with me has a knock-on effect as it positively impacts others around me. My positive energy is infectious! 

I could sit here and list plenty more reasons as to why travelling is good for your wellbeing but i'll leave you with my top three.

Seeing new places, gaining new experiences, meeting new people that it how life should be, we get too caught up in our own little bubbles to notice what is around us so taking ourselves away now and again opens up our tunnel vision. Personally, I love a short trip lasting a few days, it's easier to do on a regular basis as I don't have to take too many days off work if I plan to go away for weekends. This I appreciate doesn't work for everyone as you may have families to consider but planning ahead can also give you that sense of something to look forward to. I believe as I get older my wellbeing is becoming more of a priority and travelling is one of the ways I can practice self-care. Creating opportunities to rest, reflect, restore and reset (book title by Vicki Vrint) needs to become a lifestyle choice. Remember that you can't pour from an empty cup.

The way the world is right now, the stress is only going to continue to pile on… More traveling and trips away from your everyday environment increase your positivity and improve your wellbeing for the better! So... Book that weekend away, take that extra day off - You Only Live Once!!