Travel for Healing: Mend Your Mind, Body, and Soul
Photo by Denys Nevozhai on Unsplash
There’s a reason why millions of people enjoy books about soul-searching travelers, loving and lusting across an alliterative list of countries (we’re looking at you Eat Pray Love). For most, travel is an enticing form of healing. I mean, what sounds healthier than leaving everything behind for a spiritual journey and a diet of pasta and wine? Plus, Italians do live longer than the rest of Europe… Regardless of the type of healing you’re seeking, choosing to travel for personal wellness can be a transformative experience and a wonderful means to mending the mind, body, and soul.
RELAXATION
Maybe work has burned you out and it’s time to de-stress and heal. Or maybe the responsibilities of daily life have simply piled high and you’re in need of some R&R. Whatever the case may be, relaxation is crucial to good health. Without the right amount of rest, we often experience negative effects on both our minds and our bodies. What's worse, long term stress can even lead to serious health issues such as headaches, digestive problems, anxiety, and depression. So if you’re looking for a moment (or a few weeks) of zen to get yourself back on track, opt for a beach retreat or a spa vacation and get your travel relaxation on.
TRAVEL FOR SPIRITUAL HEALING
Since ancient times, practices like religious pilgrimages and transcendental journeys have served as a form of spiritual travel. And today, they remain in full swing - often as a popular form of healing. Whether you have a specific religious affiliation or are looking for ways to connect with your own spirit, it can be comforting to visit places with profound sacred history. For example, Catholics may find a visit to the Vatican emotionally healing. While others may choose a meditation retreat for spiritual connection with something greater than their self.
EMOTIONAL HEALING
It’s common for people to seek solace in travel during times of emotional distress. But why? According to psychologist and Marital and Family Relationships expert Ashley Arn, travel affords us the opportunity to be alone with our thoughts in peace and quiet - something that might be difficult in everyday life. And while travel may not be what heals a broken heart or cures depression, it can certainly help. The break from routine that comes with travel can be the catalyst needed for healing.
PHYSICAL HEALING
Certain health issues or physical disability can make travel difficult, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of the question. In fact, far from it. Travel for physical healing is an accessible option for people with all kinds of ailments. Centers for holistic health, for example, allow people to treat or recoup from illness through healthy eating and naturopathy. Meanwhile, fitness-focused options like yoga retreats are practically ubiquitous around the world. They offer peaceful and inspiring environments for mindfulness and improving the body.
TRAVEL FOR HEALING RELATIONSHIPS
According to Psychology Today, traveling together can have significantly positive effects on a relationship - especially if itsin need of healing. For starters, travel involves exciting new activities. These can invoke feelings of closeness, intimacy, and passion that many relationships lack. Even if you're not a jump-out-of-an-airplane kind of couple, you'll still benefit; trying new food and navigating a city can have the same effects. Secondly, long term relationships often fall into ruts because couples know everything about one another. But travel is great because it provides novelty. You'll have the opportunity to learn about your partner in ways that you otherwise wouldn't. While traveling can help heal a struggling relationship, it's important to be aware of the opportunities for tension and interdependence that arise during times of travel stress.
