Can Travel Make You Happier?

If you’re a college student, then there’s a good chance you’re stressed. We spend so much of our time busy with endless to do’s from homework assignments to club meetings to on-campus jobs. With all of the commitments we make and all of the work we do, it can be hard to find time to relax. College often creates an environment where stress is inevitable. Unfortunately, it is not just a short-term inconvenience. Stress can have long-term impacts, worsening your mental and physical health and even causing you anxiety or depression. One of the best ways to simultaneously alleviate your stress and boost your mental health is to travel. If you can’t afford the time or money to book a glamorous trip, it only takes a weekend away or a day trip now and then to reap the benefits of traveling.

Believe it or not, a lot of the happiness that you gain from traveling is felt before you even depart for your trip. The time you spend planning for your next adventure actually brings you a lot of joy. It is simply fun to research your destination and piece together an itinerary packed with places and restaurants you want to visit. Planning a vacation also gives you something to look forward to during the meantime. The anticipation of a relaxing or exciting trip is often unmatched by feelings of calmness and happiness. When it is finally time to enjoy the travels you have been waiting for, you have a chance to break away from your normal routine that may be stressful, boring or leaving you in a rut. Being thrown into an entirely new routine and environment will leave you feeling refreshed and energized by the end of your trip.

Traveling also allows you the time and space to let go of all of the stress you have been holding. Stepping away from your daily tasks and taking a break from your demanding commitments do wonders for relieving stress. For some, navigating around a new environment may sound stressful, but those smaller moments of stress will help you forget about your major stresses and make you more resilient. Facing challenges while traveling will also boost the confidence you have in yourself. You will fix problems on the spot and push yourself out of your comfort zone, giving you the confidence that you can do anything. It also feels good to be responsible for creating wonderful memories during your trip that you will cherish forever.

If your mundane routine leaves you feeling uninspired, traveling is a sure way to inspire creativity. In your travels, you may experience vibrant cultures, meet new people, hear different languages, enjoy new foods, or come across beautiful views. Travel broadens your perspective by exposing you to these different ways of living and seeing the world. Your newly widened perspective from traveling will also increase your gratitude. Not everyone has the opportunity to travel, and that realization will make you grateful for your experiences.

While some of your travels may be more active than others, traveling can improve your physical health. And, being physically healthy is great for your mental health. Exploring a new place often means that you are constantly moving. Some trips may involve hiking, swimming, or aquatic activities that are sure to give you a great workout. But, you can still get a lot of exercise from simply walking around your destination to see the sights. Getting some fresh air and sun in your face will also enhance your health.

Tag us @theedgemag with your travels!