The healing power of traveling
Traveling not only allows us to disconnect from our routine and escape the stress of everyday life, but it also has a profound impact on our emotional well-being .
Over the years, multiple studies and experts have pointed out that planning, experiencing, and remembering a trip can be a deeply therapeutic experience. And it's not just about escaping: it's about connecting . This is something psychiatrist and bestselling author Marian Rojas Estapé explains this way:
"For me, happiness is connecting with reality in the best way possible. As human beings, we're not designed to be happy forever, but to detect threats and survive. The brain has a system that allows it to enjoy certain things that happen to it, and if there's one mechanism that triggers that enjoyment, it's traveling . Traveling gives us memories that stay with us for a lifetime."
And she's absolutely right. Traveling creates a positive emotional cocktail that helps us reconnect with what truly matters . It takes us out of our routines, confronts us with new things, and reminds us how vast the world is.
According to Rojas Estapé, there are many reasons why traveling is good for mental health :
- Improves emotional health : By disconnecting from our daily worries, stress decreases and a general feeling of well-being is activated.
- Create happy memories : Experiences become lasting memories that nourish our personal history.
- Helps overcome fears : Facing the unknown strengthens confidence and the ability to adapt.
- Promotes empathy : Learning about other cultures and lifestyles broadens our perspective and makes us more understanding.
- Offer meaningful moments : living unique experiences strengthens our emotional balance.
And it's not just about the trip itself. Planning also plays a crucial role.
Studies from universities such as Cornell (USA) and Surrey (UK) conclude that anticipating a trip can be as rewarding as actually taking it . The excitement , the preparation, and even simply imagining yourself in another place activate areas of the brain associated with pleasure .
Amit Kumar , a professor at the University of Texas and co-author of the Cornell study, explains that "compared to possessions, experiences are better storytelling material . Travelers end up talking more about their experiences than about material purchases."
A benefit that goes beyond the individual
Traveling also impacts family dynamics . Ana Rosina Rodríguez , a clinical psychologist and family therapist at @praxisdom , has seen this in her practice: "From my practice as a family therapist, I see the transformative power that traveling has on the mental health and well-being of families ."
Rodriguez even uses trips as a therapeutic tool , as they allow all members to participate, collaborate, and experience something outside of their usual routine together.
And it's not just perception. A 2013 survey of 485 adults in the United States found that those who traveled regularly reported greater empathy, improved concentration , more energy, and a longer attention span. Furthermore, research suggests that adapting to different cultures stimulates creativity and improves mental flexibility.
In short, travel isn't a luxury or a mere pastime. It's a direct investment in our mental health , our resilience, and the creation of memories that will stay with us forever.
Whether it's a weekend getaway or a grand adventure across the world , the important thing is to move, discover, and be transformed.
So, if you've been waiting for a sign to plan your next trip , here it is. Because sometimes, the best thing we can do for our minds ... is pack our bags .
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