Life, as we know it today, is busy. Constantly checking our phones, daily obligations, or commitments, it can be easy to lose sight of well-being, whether at home or traveling.
The world health organization (WHO) describes mental health as “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” Clearly, mental health is essential to having a fulfilling life.
One of the ways to maintain mental well-being and generally contribute to a happier and more fulfilling life is Travel. It checks so many boxes and is beneficial for all parts of health; physical, emotional, mental, social, & spiritual.
A vacation falls perfectly into the self-care category if you do a little bit of thinking ahead. You can plan a day trip or three-week vacation to incorporate these ideas. Diet, sleep, exercise, & stress are the fundamentals. Then you can add in other practices that support your overall health needs.
Travel opens your eyes
The world is so diverse and magical. Exploring new destinations allows you to see and experience other cultures. Seeing the world through someone else’s eyes and understanding what is important to them puts things in perspective. It allows you to consider your situation and possibly feel grateful or feel things aren’t as insurmountable as they might feel. It’s easy to live in a bubble, and traveling sometimes is what you need to appreciate things you may usually take for granted.
Travel forces you to think out of your routine
As soon as you pack your bags, things begin to change. Everything is new, and often things don’t go according to plan. So you have to be on your toes and ready to zig instead of zag. It can be challenging at times and downright frustrating with language barriers, but in the end, you learn so much about others and yourself.
Detox from your device
Taking time to see the world around you instead of looking at your phone or computer screen will not only help maintain your well-being, it just feels better. Especially somewhere you can take in the scenery, whether it’s just looking at the ocean, the mountains, or any of God’s creations. It can give you a sense of humbleness and realization of what truly matters in your world.
If you get nothing else from this, realize that everyone needs time to care for themselves. EVERYONE. You have to take time to reset, eat well, sleep well, exercise, and practice mindfulness to give you the fuel you need to energize you back into your daily lives.
“Taking care of myself doesn’t mean ‘me first.’ It means ‘me, too.'” – L.R. Knost
June 2022
