How to Make the Most of Your Vacation Days.

By Guest Author Henry Moore of FitWellTraveler

When the days begin to run into one another and your stress levels are out of control, it’s time for a break. You can never overestimate the healing power of travel, especially if you’ve been overwhelmed or have suffered from depression or anxiety recently. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life can rejuvenate you and help you feel calm and ready to tackle just about anything. 

Traveling can change your perspective and open up your mind to new ideas; it can help you feel creative and attuned to different cultures. It can also simply help you feel more relaxed as you move away from the pressures of work and everyday life. The great thing about travel is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money or drive long distances to get the benefits; a short trip does the trick just as well. 

Here are a few of the best tips on how to use travel to help your mental health: 

Get Creative

Traveling can have a huge impact on your creative side. You don’t have to be an artist to feel the effects, either. Going to a new city and immersing yourself in local culture can help you feel more artistic, and having a creative outlet can reduce stress in your everyday life and promote mindful thinking. Mindfulness is one of the keys to banishing anxiety, because it keeps you thinking about the present rather than focusing on things that happened in the past. 

Beat Stress

Getting away from the pressures of life is imperative now and then, especially if you keep a busy schedule or have a high-stress job. Taking a trip can help you escape those pressures for a little while and recharge, which is absolutely necessary for all of us. Whether you want to hit the beach and relax or take a road trip and see as much as you can, traveling can make you feel like yourself again and allow you to unwind. In fact, the beach is the perfect place to take a vacation. When you’re feeling stressed, being near the water has been shown to help improve mental health. Some of the best places to check out are in the Florida Panhandle and Gulf Shores, Alabama as they have great weather nearly year-round and offer beaches that aren’t too crowded. For info on how to plan the perfect trip to the ocean, check out iTrip.net. 

Looking Forward to Something

Travel can give you something to look forward to, which is a great way to help along the healing process if you’ve been battling depression or are in recover for substance abuse. The planning process of taking a trip often brings excitement and happiness, especially if you’re doing it with a loved one or a friend. 

Speaking of a loved one…

Taking a trip with someone you care about is a great way to bond and strengthen your relationship, which in turn can make you happier. Make your plans together and think about the best ways to have fun while you’re away, but keep in mind that traveling with someone else can be difficult if you’re not used to spending so much time together. Be patient and don’t feel obligated to plan out every single moment of the trip, as leaving some downtime can be good for everyone. 

Remember that traveling doesn’t have to cost a ton of money or take you out of the country to have a positive affect on your mental health. You can plan a trip on a budget that will keep you relatively close to home while still allowing you to experience new things. With a good plan and some preparation, you can ensure your trip will be one to remember. 

About the Author

Henry is the co-creator of FitWellTraveler. The site blends two of his favorite subjects (travel and health) to provide readers with information about how to get the most out of both. He believes travel can change you, and good health preserves you.