5 Health Benefits of Travelling

Everybody loves a good vacation. It gives people something to look forward to and it’s one of the best ways to relax. There are so many health benefits of travelling, which is why it’s a good excuse to book that dream trip you’ve always wanted! If you are looking for a detox, to de-stress or simply boost your happiness; booking a vacation is the perfect way to do it! 

Mental health is a big topic at the moment and it’s so important that we take care of it. Taking a vacation or break away is one of the best ways to do this. Now that some borders are starting to open up again, it’s the perfect time to book that trip and help your mind and body out. Here are five ways that travelling can make you happy, both mentally and physically! 

1. Travel helps to relieve stress

Who doesn’t feel more relaxed when sipping a fruity drink next to a pool, underneath the beautiful sun. Whilst you are away on vacation or travelling, there is no doubt that we feel more at ease and less stressed. 

Studies have even shown that once you head home after your trip, your stress levels remain low. Some people have even reported feeling relaxed weeks after they got home, and had returned back to their normal work routine.

When we are feeling less anxious and less stressed, the benefits show through all aspects of our life. Being in a better mental state can help us when it comes to relationships, work performance and a positive mindset.

2. It lowers the risk of depression

Unfortunately, depression is a very big problem in today’s society. A lot of people tend to avoid discussions about it but it is currently very topical. Millions of people struggle with depression every day, and a lot of people get prescribed medication by doctors. 

There are also other alternatives when it comes to overcoming depression and getting into a healthier mental state. Eating healthy, exercising regularly and getting into a good sleeping pattern are all ways to help treat depression. However, when it comes to overcoming depression, travel may be the way to go!

A study took place in Wisconsin that looked at how many vacations American women took each year. The study found that women who vacationed at least twice a year were less likely to suffer from depression and stress, than those who vacationed less than once every two years. This research suggests that travel does truly help to lower the risk of depression, and helps us boost our mental state. 

3. Travel boosts happiness

Of course, travelling causes excitement, but apparently, so does discussing your trip with other people, and of course, planning it. Planning vacations and discussing destinations can help keep our minds off the daily stresses of life and boost our happiness. 

According to research, the more details in which you discuss your future travels, the higher your happiness levels become. Planning for a future vacation gives us something to look forward to, is proven to boost our mood and also helps us tackle mundane activities during our normal, day to day life. 

4. It encourages physical activity

Travelling has lots of benefits for our mental health, but it also helps with our physical health too. Although many people stay physically active throughout the year, it can be easy to find yourself in a rut. Whilst away it’s easy to be active throughout the entire day, simply by visiting attractions, exploring your surroundings or even swimming in the pool. A lot of the time you might not even notice how much exercise you’re actually doing! 

Taking a wander around a new destination is a great way to learn more about the area, immerse yourself in the culture and of course taking incredible photographs. A lot of the time people don’t realise how much physical activity they actually do throughout their trip. This is why it’s so important to eat properly during a vacation, and of course, to keep hydrated. 

5. Travelling helps to reduce the risk of heart disease

Another incredible health benefit of travelling is that it can reduce the risk of heart disease. Even if you already have health risk factors or a pre-existing condition, taking an annual holiday can reduce your risk of developing this condition.

Studies have concluded that women who tend to vacation at least twice a year had a significantly lower risk of a heart attack than those who travelled once every six years. The same study also found that men who don’t take a holiday at least once a year, increase their risk of heart disease by up to 30%. By not taking a vacation, they can also increase their risk of death by up to 20%. 

Although there are plenty of things that can go wrong when it comes to travel, research suggests that a trip away can be one of the best remedies for our mental health and physical wellbeing. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get booking that trip!

If you are looking for a unique getaway but don’t want the stress or hassle of booking everything yourself, then why not travel with us. Here at One Life Adventures, we pride ourselves on the experiences we give people and we believe our tours truly are a once in a lifetime adventure! 

Feeling inspired to save for your next adventure? Check out our other trips here and use the code ONELIFE15 at checkout to get an enormous 15% off all our trips, for a limited time only!