Why Travel is the Ultimate Medicine for Mind, Body, and Soul

“I need a vacation” is a statement we hear regularly. People flock to different countries for a week to escape life and find relaxation. But why? Shouldn’t we be living a happy, meaningful life that we don’t feel the need to escape from? Not to add to the world of toxic productivity, but what if we used this time away as something more enriching to our lives?  What if the cure for your lack of motivation and exhaustion is a lack of curiosity? What if this time abroad is used to explore parts of yourself that you didn’t know existed? What if you connect to a way of life that you never knew was possible until you experienced it for the first time?

 

This is why, Travel is medicine.  

 

Travel is medicine for the mind, body, and soul. It allows you to question every piece of your existence, see what is lacking in your life, and check in to ensure you feel you’re on the right path. This is not to say vacationing is bad; it has its time and place. Let’s dive deeper to uncover why travel is needed to heal.  

 

1. Travel helps develop an open and accepting perspective on life.  

 

Travelling requires taking time away from your routines to be dropped into a new world. This allows you to be uncomfortable, which is a space that will enable growth. It forces you to question the beliefs that have been imposed on you. Immersing yourself in a new city can go beyond admiring the buildings or eating delicious food  (however, this is one of my favourite things); it can also be about teaching you skills that are far more valuable. Learning to navigate unfamiliar roads, overcome language barriers, and figure out local transportation makes you more curious and knowledgeable. Often, it puts your life into perspective and makes you realize what is essential.  

 

When I visited Japan, I was in awe. I learned of a completely different way of life, where I  was not able to speak or understand the local language. However, one thing that I knew is that they have one of the most advanced societies I’ve travelled to. I leaned into this world's unknown and tried everything it had to offer. It made me question why we should believe our society is the best way to function. There are many marvellous ways of life worldwide, and it’s time to learn about them. 

 

2. Travel makes you more introspective and curious about life. 

 

Wanting to better your life is essential for growth. However, at times, being physically removed from your environment is needed to take an actual look at what is going on. It allows you to evaluate how you are feeling, what is working for you, and what is not. This is not to say you need to spend the entire time scrutinizing every detail, but more so feeling what aligns with you or may no longer serve you in this stage of life. Sitting down in a local coffee shop and writing out your thoughts is one of the best practices while away. With no one around and having no time constraints, it’s the perfect time to reflect. 

 

Travelling makes you realize the fragility of life and the importance of pursuing the projects, activities, or experiences that excite you. It sparks joy into your heart and a newfound curiosity which sometimes dissipates in our daily lives. 

 

3. Creativity and inspiration

 

Finally, this is one of my favourites. Being inspired. Especially for those in creative industries. Taking a step back is vital to refreshing ideas and feeling eager for projects. In a creative field, “not working” is one of the most productive uses of time. Ideas flow easily, and new project ideas also tend to pop up.  

 

The best part about travelling is integrating these new experiences into your everyday life. It may be a recipe or a practice that resonates with you. Being inspired by your surroundings is one of the most beautiful parts when experiencing the world. 

 

Overall, the purpose of travel is beyond the conventional “let’s relax and run away from our lives.” It is vital to helping you grow into the person you aspire to be. It helps elevate your quality of life and your ability to show up as a better person in this world.  

 

So, I guess the conclusion is that it’s time to book that plane ticket and head out into the world. There is no time like the present. 

 

Until next time, 

 

Tiffany