Anyone who loves to travel will tell you (with much enthusiasm) that seeing the world is good for you. It's a great way to escape the doldrums of everyday life while also immersing yourself in a new landscape, new activities, and possibly even a new culture.
As it turns out, recent studies have shown there's scientific truth behind what we travellers have known all along: travel really is good for your body and mind. Travelling regularly reduces your risk of stroke, heart attack, diabetes, anxiety, and depression.
Best of all, the health benefits of travel are experienced from the time you start planning your trip and may last as long as weeks or months after you return. This is great news for anyone who loves to travel or is just in need of a getaway!
To fully enjoy all the mental benefits of taking some time off, you'll want to do your best to keep holiday stress at a minimum so you can have a worry-free mind. Here are some stress reduction steps to take while you're on holiday:
Protect your property
Before you leave, take some steps to protect your home while you're gone. Trust me, burglaries are the last thing you'll want to worry about while you're away.
Be sure all windows and doors are locked, alarms are set, smoke detectors are in working order, and appliances are unplugged. Ideally, you could also hide the fact that you are away by hiring a trusted pet sitter or house sitter. Knowing your home is properly cared for while you're away will allow you to relax into the holiday mind frame.
Reconnect with nature
Unplug your laptop, turn off your mobile phone, and step outside. Notice the sounds of the birds in the trees. Kick off your shoes and feel the ground beneath your toes. Sometimes, it really is that simple!
If you're travelling in Australia, you'll experience breathtaking natural beauty. The geographic diversity offers something for everyone, whether you prefer to bushwalks in the Blue Mountains, view gorgeous waterfalls, relax by the ocean, or explore a Jurassic rainforest.
Prefer a hands-on experience? Try any of the following:
● Get up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and other native species at many of the nation's petting zoos and wildlife refuges.
● Thrill seekers on both coasts have the chance to seasonally swim with sharks or whales.
● Snorkel or scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living organism on Earth, which is so big it can be viewed from outer space!
These are just a few of the countless ways to experience nature in Australia.
Find stillness.
We each have different methods for soothing our worries and calming our minds. For some, this could be a mean a cruise through Sydney Harbour or watching the sunset over the Twelve Apostles. For others, it might involve a meditation retreat or beachside yoga along the Gold Coast.
Pamper yourself.
Studies have shown that acts of self compassion actually boost your confidence and mood. To reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, take some time to treat yourself (or a loved one) while you're away.
Plan a romantic weekend getaway at a chic boutique hotel, or book a solo stay at a bed and breakfast just steps from the beach. While you're there, why not splurge on champagne and a massage? Taking time to pamper yourself helps ease your mind, relax your body, and improve your relationships.
Leave it to the professionals.
As rewarding as it can be to plan holiday travel, organizing everything can become overwhelming. You can always work with a professional travel agent, tour group, or cruise line instead. They'll handle the little details for you so you can free up your time (and your mind) and truly go with the flow during your travels.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to nurture yourself through travel. You deserve a stress-free holiday. So, go on. Use these ideas to plan a "no worries" trip that will leave you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and will boost your health long after you return.
Travel contribution by Henry Moore
Henry is the co-creator of FitWellTraveler. The site blends two of his favourite subjects (travel and health) to provide readers with information about how to get the most out of both. Henry enjoys travel, running, cooking, baking and reading. He believes travel can change you, and good health preserves you. He combines both in his work on FitWellTraveler.
Image credit: Gaia Retreat, Lady Enid, Bells at Killcare
