Mind...Don't mind to TRAVEL!

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights. It is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the minds of the living.” – Miriam Beard

What happens when you travel? 

I think everyone has their own reason to travel. I wanted to point out the effect of travel on our mind. I do not want to encourage traveling in the current COVID crisis though ;))  

In last few years, based on my own experience with traveling, I have noticed that it has improved my physical and mental health. Again this was my own experience not influenced by any article/ magazine, but when I started writing about it, I found out people are writing about it for a long time!

So it is real!

When you travel, you are not just visiting that place but that place is going to connect with your soul some way.

The moment you start thinking about going places, your brain starts becoming optimistic, excited, hopeful, adventurous and start imagining positive things. So by starting just the process of thinking of going somewhere, you are shifting from your daily work, home or school routine and that itself starts lowering the stress level. I am sure oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and all of the happy hormones start flowing through your neurons!

As you know our brain can only think positive or negative at a time, so if you are going through a sad time or unhappiness in your life, the moment you start thinking about traveling the brain will focus on thoughts of trip, planning etc which itself is a healing thing.

I am sure we all have noticed when we go to the new place, you can only feel happiness, excitement, some nervousness of doing new things but again for good!

People also forget their life problems when they are away from their home. And the moment you come home, you wish you had a longer vacation!

And traveling doesn’t mean spending lot of money or going to very famous or luxurious locations.

Even going few miles away from home for just a day trip to see something new , meeting someone, spending time with nature can do a lot more than you think. Personally I believe that to create a healthy mind, you need to travel to see nature wonders, watch animals in their natural habitat or find ways to connect the nature by hiking, swimming, or any activities that connect you with the surroundings.

The sight of a different culture, nature, or animal can stay with you forever. Every experience itself changes you as a person. I do believe that it grows on you too. It makes you more humble, more spiritual, respecting other cultures, respecting Mother Nature, how small we are against it and also how not to be self centered.

As a human, we do need change in our routine and traveling gives you perfect time to do that. Since the time of civilization, humans have always traveled to new places to venture and to satisfy their need to learn new things, to get new experiences in life and that is what has made us who we are. 

People who do experience travel as a positive mental change, they find happiness in smaller things in life.

 Sometimes after coming back you may enjoy your routine life and staying home so you never know!

After every trip, I have felt more positive, happy and felt charged to do more in my life.

How to travel?

When you travel, focus on observing things around, talk to local people, think of trying local culture activities, food, music, dancing what ever you love to do and do activities that help you to connect with the nature. Keep a goal of observing the life around you.

Don’t think about your work when you are on vacation!

Keep memories thru pictures, writings, videos etc so you can visit that time again and again!

Benefits of traveling:

• Happiness 
• Lower Stress level
• More joy
• Self confidence  
• Compassion
• Increase respect for other lives
• Increase respect for nature
• More spiritually/ meditation

How to travel in current COVID time?

In a current time when people have to be careful about traveling, 

-I would suggest go to open nature and explore the world near you where it is not crowded. 

-Just imagine a trip that you want to take this year and know all about it and I guarantee you it will give you at least half of the pleasure of traveling and that is what you need for your mental health right now!

- Or keep making plans for the next year!

Happy summer!

Quote of the week

"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions".

-Oliver Wendell Holmes

Picture of the week

My curious traveler!